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Book_ ' _ 

Gopv'iight N°_ 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 















TO START THE DAT 


By 

John Timothy Stone, D.D. 


To Start the Day : 

A Thought, A Verse, a Song. $1.50 
A simple yet extremely helpful volume 
of meditations and devotions with which to 
start the day, and start it in the right way. 
A key-thought for every morning in the year, 
which he supplements with a brief passage 
from God’s Word, and a verse from a more 
or less familiar hymn. 

Recruiting for Christ 

Hand-to-Hand Methods with Men. 

New Edition $1.50 

An up-to-date edition of this helpful book 
on Evangelistic work of which The Presby¬ 
terian Advance said : “ Suggestions, drawn 
largely from personal experience, as to the 
men to reach, preparation for the work, 
methods of approach, methods of work, etc.” 






To Start the Day 

A Thought , a Verse and a Song 


By 

JOHN TIMOTHY STONE 

Pastor t Fourth Presbyterian Churchy 

Chicago, III. 

Author of “Recruiting for Christy etc . 

i 


New York Chicago 

Fleming H. Revell Company 

London and Edinburgh 










Copyright, 1923, by 

FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY 





©Cl A711249 

New York: 158 Fifth Avenue 
Chicago: 17 North Wabash Ave. 
London: 21 Paternoster Square 
Edinburgh: 75 Princes Street 


JUL19 ’23 


Vwi } 




Preface 

A LTHOUGH we recognize tlie place and 
value of beginning tlie day with God, 
we go to our tasks without the direct 
inspiration of God’s Word. The over-rush and 
restlessness of our day have frequently taken 
from us in actual habit the quiet moments of 
poise and restraint afforded by the “ Morning 
Watch” and family worship. This little col¬ 
lection of moment thoughts is prepared with no 
desire to substitute for either of these, but to 
enable us, from the very beginning of our wake¬ 
ful moments, to focus life’s instruments of heart 
and mind aright, and thus see clearly as we 
view first things. 

“ When I awake I am still with Thee.” 

“ My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, 
O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer 
unto Thee, and will look up.” 

In the preparation of this little volume sim¬ 
plicity and singleness of thought have been con¬ 
sidered and familiar verses of old hymns in the 
main. 

The verse of a hymn embodying a thought, 
and a verse of Scripture gives the heart uncon¬ 
sciously its direction. It is better to leave one’s 

7 


8 


PREFACE 


room humming a familiar strain centering in 
words filled with Christian sentiment, than to 
start the day with a mental void, or an irritable 
haste. 

For the verses of the hymns used I am much 
indebted to The Presbyterian Hymnal, The 
English Hymnal and “ Gospel Hymns,” to¬ 
gether with other familiar collections. 

J. T. S. 

Fourth Presbyterian Church, 

Chicago, III. 


Face the work of every day with the in¬ 
fluence of a few, thoughtful, quiet moments with 
your own heart and God. Do not meet other 
people, even those of your own home, until you 
have first met the great Guest and Honoured 
Companion of your life—Jesus Christ. Meet 
Him alone. Meet Him regularly. Meet Him 
with His open book of counsel before you; and 
face the regular and irregular duties of each 
day with the influence of His personality, defi¬ 
nitely controlling your every act. 


J. T. S. 



JANUARY 


January l. 

Walking and thinking with God inspire devo¬ 
tion and establish character . 

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the 
counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way 
of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in 
his law doth he meditate day and night. 

—Psalm 1 : 1, 2. 

YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION 
“Shun evil companions, bad language disdain, 
God’s name hold in reverence, nor take it in 
vain; 

Be thoughtful and earnest, kind-hearted and 
true, 

Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.” 


January 2* 

The upward look means God and goodness, and 
it leads to contentment and blessing. 

Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at 
peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. . . . 
For then shalt thou have thy delight in the 
Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. 

—Job 22 : 21 , 26 . 


9 


10 


TO START THE DAY 


UPWARD WHERE THE STARS ARE BURNING 
“Upward where the stars are burning, 
Silent, silent in their turning 
Round the never changing pole; 

Upward where the sky is brightest, 
Upward where the blue is lightest, 

Lift I now my longing soul.” 


January 3. 

Commitment establishes confidence and guar¬ 
antees divine consummation. 

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also 
in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 

—Psalm 37:5. 

LEAD KINDLY LIGHT 

“So long Thy power hast blest me, sure it still 
Will lead me on 

O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till 
The night is gone ; 

And with the morn those angels faces smile, 
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile. ” 


January 4* 

Poise, peace, stability and confidence. 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose 
mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in 
thee.— Isaiah 26:3. 

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL 
“When peace like a river attendeth my way, 

When sorrows like sea-billows roll; 

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 
‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’ ” 



TO START THE DAY 


11 


January 5* 

A hopeful life is unlimited in influence . 

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and 
peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, 
through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

—Romans 15:13. 

MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS 
“My hope is built on nothing less 
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; 

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 

But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name. 

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; 

All other ground is sinking sand. ’ ’ 

January 6♦ 

The true standard of a Christian life . 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek¬ 
ness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

—Galatians 5:22, 23. 

SPIRIT OF GOD DESCEND UPON MY HEART 
“Spirit of God! descend upon my heart; 

Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move; 
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art, 

And make me love Thee as I ought to love.” 

January 7 . 

A Saviour Who is a sympathizer . 

For we have not an high priest which cannot 
be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; 
but was in all points tempted like as we are, 
yet without sin.— Hebrews 4:15. 



12 


TO START THE DAY 


I AM PRAYING FOR YOU 
“I have a Saviour, He’s pleading in glory, 

A dear, loving Saviour, tho’ earth-friends be few; 
And now He is watching in tenderness o’er me, 
And oh, that my Saviour were your Saviour, too.” 

January 8* 

The grace to sacrifice and share . 

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your 
sakes he became poor, that ye through his 
poverty might be rich.—2 Corinthians 8 : 9. 

MASTER, NO OFFERING 
* * Master, no offering costly and sweet, 

May we, like Magdalene, lay at Thy feet; 
Yet may love’s incense rise, 

Sweeter than sacrifice, 

Dear Lord to Thee, Dear Lord, to Thee.” 


January 9* 

God is visualized in Jesus Christ . 

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt 
among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory 
as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of 
grace and truth.— John 1:14. 

WHEN MORNING GILDS THE SKIES, 

* ‘ When morning gilds the skies, 

My heart awaking cries 

May Jesus Christ be praised: 

Alike at work and prayer 
To Jesus I repair; 

May Jesus Christ be praised.” 



TO START THE DAY 


13 


January 10. 

Christ has power to control conditions and 
banish fear . 

And they came to him, and awoke him, say¬ 
ing, Master, Master, we perish. Then he arose, 
and rebuked the wind and the raging of the 
water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 

—Luke 8:24. 

MASTER, THE TEMPEST IS RAGING 
“Master, the tempest is raging, 

The billows are tossing high; 

The sky is o ’ershadowed with blackness, 

No shelter or help is nigh: 

4 Carest Thou not that we perish?' 

How eanst Thou lie asleep, 

When each moment so madly is threat ’ning 
A grave in the angry deep?" 

Sanuar^ 1L 

Strength, courage, obedience, faithfulness, 
prosperity . 

Only be thou strong and very courageous, 
that thou mayest observe to do according to all 
the law, which Moses my servant commanded 
thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to 
the left, that thou mayest prosper whitherso¬ 
ever thou goest.— Joshua 1:7. 

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION 
“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed, 

For, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; 

I ’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to 
stand, . _ _ „ 

Upheld by my gracious, omipotent hand. 



14 


TO START THE DAY 


January 12♦ 

God is the creator of order, life and light . 

In the beginning God created the heaven and 
the earth. And the earth was without form, 
and void; and darkness was upon the face of 
the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon 
the face of the waters. And God said, Let there 
be light: and there was light. 

—Genesis 1:1-3. 

GOD, THAT MADBST EARTH AND HEAVEN 
‘ ‘ God, that madest earth and heaven, 
Darkness and light; 

Who the day for toil hast given, 

For rest the night: 

May Thine angel-guards defend us, 

Slumber sweet Thy mercy send us, 

Holy dreams and hopes attend us, 

This livelong night.’’ 


January 13* 

Here is investment and treasure which remain . 

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon 
earth. . . . But lay up for yourselves 

treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor 
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not 
break through nor steal: For where your 
treasure is there will your heart be also. 

—Matthew 6:19, 20, 21. 

SWEET BY-AND-BY 
“There’s a land that is fairer than day, 

And by faith we can see it afar; 

For the Father waits over the way, 

To prepare us a dwelling place there.” 



TO START THE DAY 


15 


January 14* 

The way, the truth and the life mean direction, 
guidance and fellowship . 

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, 
and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, 
but by me.—J ohn 14:6. 

SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS 
“Jesus, my heart’s dear Refuge, 

Jesus has died for me; 

Firm on the Rock of Ages 
Ever my trust shall be. 

Here let me wait with patience, 

Wait till the night is o’er, 

Wait till I see the morning 
Break on the golden shore.” 


January 15* 

Harmony with God means harmony with men. 

When a man’s ways please the Lord, he 
maketh even his enemies to be at peace with 
him.— Pboverbs 16: 7. 

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION 
“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, 

I will not—I will not desert to his foes; 

That soul—though all hell should endeavour to 
shake, 

I’ll never—no, never—no, never forsake.” 



16 


TO START THE DAY 


January 16♦ 

Divine help and divine effort are sure and con¬ 
stant. 

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmi¬ 
ties : for we know not what we should pray for 
as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh inter¬ 
cession for us with groanings which cannot be 
uttered.— Romans 8:26. 

I’VE FOUND A FRIEND 
* 1 I’ve found a Friend; 0 such a Friend! 

He loved me ere I knew Him; 

He drew me with the cords of love, 

And thus He bound me to Him; 

And round my heart still closely twine 
Those ties which naught can sever, 

For I am His, and He is mine, 

For ever and for ever.” 

January 17* 

A life received, forgiven, and purified . 

Come now, and let us reason together, saith 
the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they 
shall be as white as snow; though they be red 
like crimson, they shall be as wool. 

—Isaiah 1:18. 

WHITER THAN SNOW 
“Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; 

I want Thee forever to live in my soul, 

Break down every idol, cast out every foe; 

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. 

“Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow; 

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” 



TO START THE DAY 


17 


January? 18* 

The most wonderful verse in the Bible. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his 
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in 
him should not perish, but have everlasting life, 

—John 3:16. 

WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS 
i * When I survey the wondrous cross 
On which the Prince of glory died, 

My richest gain I count but loss, 

And pour contempt on all my pride.’’ 

(Matthew Arnold declared this the greatest hymi* 
of the English tongue.) 


3anuar$ 

Mind and will controlled for God assure bless r 
ing. 

This book of the law shall not depart out of 
thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day 
and night, that thou mayest observe to do ac¬ 
cording to all that is written therein: for then 
thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then 
thou shalt have good success.— Joshua 1:8. 

COME , THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING 
“Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, 

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; 

Streams of mercy, never ceasing, 

Call for songs of loudest praise.’’ 



18 


TO START THE DAY 


January 20* 

Consistent life honours God and man. 

Let your light so shine before men, that they 
may see your good works, and glorify your Fa¬ 
ther which is in heaven.— Matthew 5:16. 

LIGHT OF LIGHT , ENLIGHTEN ME 
“Light of light, enlighten me! 

Now anew the day is dawning; 

Sun of grace, the shadows flee; 

Brighten Thou my Sabbath morning! 
With Thy joyous sunshine blest, 

Happy is my day of rest.” 


January 2U 

Poise and peace whatever happens. 

Great peace have they which love thy law: 
and nothing shall offend them. 

—Psalm .119:165. 

SWEET PEACE, THE GIFT OF GOD’S LOVE 
1 ‘ There comes to my heart one sweet strain, 

A glad and a joyous refrain; 

I sing it again and again, 

Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love.” 


January 22* 

An inheritance now and forever. 

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and 
joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer 
with him, that we may be also glorified to¬ 
gether.— Romans 8:17. 



TO START THE DAY 


19 


THE CHILD OF A KING 
“My Father is rich in houses and lands, 

He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands! 
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold, 

His coffers are full,—He has riches untold.” 


January 23* 

The evidence of an indwelling Christ. 

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless 
them that curse you, do good to them that hate 
you, and pray for them which despitefully use 
you, and persecute you.— Matthew 5:44. 

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS 
“Are we weak and heavy laden, 

Cumbered with a load of care? 

Precious Saviour, still our Refuge,— 

Take it to the Lord in prayer! 

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? 

Take it to the Lord in prayer! 

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, 

Thou wilt find a solace there.” 


January 24* 

Sincerity and forgiveness go together . 

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: 
but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall 
have mercy.— Proverbs 28:13. 

JUST AS I AM 

“Just as I am, and waiting not 
To rid my soul of one dark blot, 

To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, 

O Lamb of God, I come.” 



TO START THE DAY 


<20 

..a 


January 25♦ 

A soul at peace with God. 

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth 
with peace: the mountains and the hills shall 
break forth before you into singing, and all the 
trees of the field shall clap their hands. 

—Isaiah 55:12. 

JOY TO THE WORLD 
“ Joy to the world! the Lord is come: 

Let earth receive her King; 

Let every heart prepare Him room, 

And heaven and nature sing.” 


January 26* 

The Friend Who never changes. 

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, 
and forever.— Hebrews 13:8. 

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS, 
“What a Friend we have in Jesus, 

All our sins and griefs to bear! 

What a privilege to carry 
Everything to God in prayer! 

O what peace we often forfeit, 

O what needless pain we bear, 

All because we do not carry 
Everything to God in prayer. ,? 



TO START THE DAY 


21 


January 27* 

The place where Christ may ever he found . 

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think 
ye have eternal life: and they are they which 
testify of me.— John 5:39. 

WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE 
“Sing them over again to me, 

Wonderful words of Life; 

Let me more of their beauty see, 
Wonderful words of Life. 

Words of life and beauty, 

Teach me faith and duty: 

Beautiful words, wonderful words, 
Wonderful words of Life.” 

\ 


January 28* 

An unfailing and universal contentment . 

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace 
always by all means. The Lord be with you 
all.—2 Thessalonians 3 : 16. 

DEAR LORD AND FATHER OF MANKIND 
“Breathe through the heats of our desire 
Thy coolness and Thy balm; 

Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire; 

Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire, 

0 still, small voice of calm.” 



22 


TO START THE DAY 


January 29* 

The universal burden-hearer of human life . 

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have 
turned every one to his own way; and the Lord 
hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

—Isaiah 53:6. 

I WAS A WANDERING SHEEP 
i ‘ I was a wandering sheep, 

I would not be controlled; 

But now I love the Shepherd’s voice, 

I love, I love the fold. 

I was a wayward child, 

I once preferred to roam; 

But now I love my Father’s voice, 

I love, I love His home.” 


January 30* 

A sure method to have happiness . 

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall 
give thee the desires of thine heart. 

—Psalm 37:4. 

O HAPPY DAY 

“0 happy day, that fixed my choice 
On Thee, my Saviour, and my God! 

Well may this glowing heart rejoice, 

And tell its raptures all abroad. 

“ Happy day, happy day, 

When Jesus washed my sins away! 

He taught me how to watch and pray, 

And live rejoicing every day; 

Happy day, happy day, 

When Jesus washed my sins away!” 



TO START THE DAY 


23 


January 31* 

A soul always calm and peaceful . 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto 
you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be 
afraid.—J ohn 14:27. 

WHEN WINDS ARE RAGING 
“Far, far away, the roar of passion dieth, 

And loving thoughts rise kind and peacefully, 
And no rude storm, how fierce soe’er it flieth, 
Disturbs the soul that dwells, 0 Lord, in Thee.” 



FEBRUARY 


Jfebruars U 

A Christian must always be happy . 

These things have I spoken unto you, that my 
joy might remain in you, and that your joy 
might be full.— John 15:11. 

RBJOICB AND BB GLAD 
Ci Rejoice and be glad! The Redeemer has come! 

Go look on His cradle. His cross and His tomb. 
Sound His praises, tell the story of Him who 
was slain; 

Sound His praises, tell with gladness, 

He liveth again. ’’ 


ffebruar^ 2♦ 

A believer’s confident faith finds expression in a 
radiant life . 

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom 
though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye 
rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 

—1 Peter 1:8. 

O THAT WILL BB GLORY 
“When all my labours and trials are o’er, 

-And I am safe on that beautiful shore, 

Just to be near the dear Lord I adore 
Will thro’ the ages be glory for me.” 

24 


TO START THE DAY 


25 


iFebmarg 3. 

Prayer must be accompanied by watchful per- 
sis fence. 

Praying always with, all prayer and suppli¬ 
cation in the Spirit, and watching thereunto 
with all perseverance and supplication for all 
saints.— Ephesians 6:18. 

SWBBT HOUR OF PRAYBR 
‘‘Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! 
Thy wings shall my petition bear 
To Him whose truth and faithfulness 
Engage the waiting soul to bless; 

And since He bids me seek His face, 

Believe His word and trust His grace, 

I 'll cast on Him my every care, 

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.” 


jFebruars 4* 

Conversion , wisdom, joy and enlightenment go 
together. 

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the 
soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making 
wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are 
right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment 
of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 

—Psalm 19:7, 8. 



26 


TO START THE DAY 


O WORD OF GOD INCARNATE 
“0 Word of God Incarnate, 

O Wisdom from on high, 

O Truth unchanged, unchanging, 
O Light of our dark sky; 

We praise Thee for the radiance 
That from the hallowed page, 

A lantern to our footsteps, 

Shines on from age to age.” 


ffebruar^ 5. 

Beware of the subtlety of worldly wisdom. 

Beware lest any man spoil you through phi¬ 
losophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of 
men, after the rudiments of the world, and not 
after Christ.— Colossians 2:8. 

LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT 
“I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou 
Shouldst lead me on; 

I loved to choose and see my path; but now 
Lead Thou me on. 

I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, 

Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years. ” 


jfebruars 6* 

Eternal life is a present possession. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth 
my word, and believeth on him that sent me, 
hath everlasting life, and shall not come into 
condemnation; but is passed from death unto 
life.—J ohn 5:24. 



TO START THE DAY 


27 


THE LORD’S MY SHEPHERD 
“ Goodness and mercy, all my life 
Shall surely follow me; 

And in God’s house for evermore 
My dwelling-place shall be.” 

ffebruar^ 7* 

Stability of character is built up by faithful 
study of God’s Word . 

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, 
and to the word of his grace, which is able to 
build you up, and to give you an inheritance 
among all them which are sanctified. 

—Acts 20:32. 

BREAK THOU THE BREAD OF LIFE 
* ‘ Break Thou the bread of life, 

Dear Lord, to me, 

As Thou didst break the loaves 
Beside the sea; 

Beyond the sacred page 
I seek Thee, Lord; 

My spirit pants for Thee, 

0 living Word!” 

ffebruarp 8. 

Confidence in God must be heartfelt and un - 
f . selfish. 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and 
lean not unto thine own understanding. 

—Proverbs 3:5. 

I AM TRUSTING THEE, LORD JESUS 
“I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, 

Trusting only Thee! 

Trusting Thee for full salvation, 

Great and free. ” 



28 


TO START THE DAY 


jFebruarp 9* 

Forgetfulness of God’s commands is a common 
and constant sin . 

Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy 
God, in not keeping his commandments, and his 
judgments, and his statutes, which I command 
thee this day.— Deuteeonomy 8:11. 

MY SOUL, BE ON THY GUARD 
“My soul, be on thy guard; 

Ten thousand foes arise; 

And hosts of sins are pressing hard 
To draw thee from the skies / 9 


Ifebruarp to. 

Prayer for missionaries and ministers is a di¬ 
vine command. 

Bray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, 
that he will send forth labourers into his har¬ 
vest.— Matthew 9:88. 

O ZION, HASTE 

* 1 Give of thy sons to bear the message glorious; 

Give of thy wealth to speed them on their way; 
Pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious; 
And all thou spendest Jesus will repay/’ 


ffebruarp It. 

The divine voice speaks through the words of 
Jesus Christ . 

God, who at sundry times and in divers man¬ 
ners spake in time past unto the fathers by the 
prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto 



TO START THE DAY 


29 


us by bis Son, whom he hath appointed heir of 
all things, by whom also he made the worlds. 

—Hebrews 1:1, 2. 

IMMORTAL LOVE 

“We may not climb the heavenly steeps 
To bring the Lord Christ down; 

In vain we search the lowest deeps, 

For Him no depths can drown/ ’ 


3febvuar£ 12* 

Alertness to hear, and self-control in speech 
lessen anger and injury . 

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every 
man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to 
wrath.—J ames 1:19. 

YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION 
“To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown, 
Thro’ faith we shall conquer, tho’ often cast 
down; 

He who is our Saviour, our strength will renew, 
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.” 


ffebruarp 13. 

Returning to God has in it the joy of making 
UP after temper . 

And I will give them an heart to know me, 
that I am the Lord: and they shall be my peo¬ 
ple, and I will be their God: for they shall re¬ 
turn unto me with their whole heart. 

—Jeremiah 24:7. 



30 


TO START THE DAY 


JUST AS I AM 

61 Just as I am! Thy love unknown 
Hath broken every barrier down; 
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, 
0 Lamb of God, I come!” 


ffebruarp 14. 

The marks of human sacrifice for Christ are 
scars of honour. 

Always bearing about in the body the dying 
of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus 
might be made manifest in our body. 

—2 Corinthians 4:10. 

JESUS, AND SHALL IT EVER BE 
“ Ashamed of Jesns! sooner far 
Let evening blush to own a star: 

He sheds the beams of light divine 
O’er this benighted soul of mine.” 


Ifebruars 15. 

“ The Bible will keep you from sin or sin will 
keep you from the Bible ” 

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his 
way? by taking heed thereto according to thy 
word.— Psalm 119:9. 

MY SOUL BE ON THY GUARD 
“Oh, watch, and fight, and pray! 

The battle ne’er give o’er; 

Renew it boldly every day, 

And help divine implore.” 



TO START THE DAY 


31 


JFebruars 16. 

The knowledge and wisdom one has of God is 
the only safe ground for pride. 

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man 
glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man 
glory in his might, let not the rich man glory 
in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory 
in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, 
that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkind¬ 
ness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: 
for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. 

—Jeremiah 9:23, 24. 

JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL 
“Other refuge have I none; 

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; 

Leave, ah! leave me not alone, 

Still support and comfort me. 

All my trust on Thee is stayed, 

All my help from Thee I bring; 

Cover my defenceless head 
With the shadow of Thy wing.” 


jfebruars 17* 

Benevolence is a matter of service and helpful¬ 
ness as well as the giving of money. 

I have shewed you all things, how that so 
labouring ye ought to support the weak, and 
to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how 
he said, It is more blessed to give than to re¬ 
ceive.— Acts 20:35. 




32 


TO START THE DAY 


NOW THE DAY IS OVER 
“Comfort every sufferer 
Watching late in pain; 
Those who plan some evil 
From their sin restrain / 9 


f ebruars 18* 

Repeating and quoting God’s Word develop and 
enrich Christian character . 

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up 
into him in all things, which is the head, even 
Christ.— Ephesians 4:15. 

MASTER., NO OFFERING 
“Daily our lives would show 
Weakness made strong, 

Toilsome and gloomy ways 
Brightened with song ; 

Some deeds of kindness done, 

Some souls by patience won, 

Dear Lord, to Thee. ’ 1 


jfefiruarp 19* 

A true follower of Jesus Christ will live a joyful 
life . 

And now come I to thee; and these things I 
speak in the world, that they might have my 
joy fulfilled in themselves.— John 17:13. 

JOY TO THE WORLD 
“Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns: 

Let men their songs employ; 

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains 
Repeat the sounding joy.” 



TO START THE DAY 


33 


ffebruars 20♦ 

Worship and faith educate the soul. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wis¬ 
dom : and the knowledge of the holy is under¬ 
standing.— Proverbs 9:10. 

MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THBB 
1i May Thy rich grace impart 
Strength to my fainting heart; 

My zeal inspire; 

As Thon hast died for me, 

Oh, may my love to Thee 
Pure, warm, and changeless be, 

A living fire!” 

ffebruars 21* 

When a man reads and learns the Bible he lays 
up enduring treasure. 

The grass withereth, and the flower thereof 
falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth 
forever.—1 Peter 1:24, 25. 

WB WOULD SBB JBSUS 
“We would see Jesus, the great Rock Foundation 
Whereon our feet were set by sovereign grace; 

Not life nor death, with all their agitation, 

Can thence remove us, if we see His face.” 

jfebruars 22* 

Patience before God means strength in body, 
soul and character. 

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he 
shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the 
Lord.— Psalm 27:14. 



34 


TO START THE DAY 


QUIET , LORD , MF FROWARD HEART, 

1 ‘ Quiet, Lord, my froward heart, 

Make me teachable and mild, 

Upright, simple, free from art, 

Make me as a weaned child: 

From distrust and envy free, 

Pleased with all that pleases Thee.” 

jfebruars 23♦ 

“ That I spent that I had, 

That I gave that I have, 

That I left that I lost ” 

(On an old English tombstone.) 

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good 
measure, pressed down, and shaken together, 
and running over, shall men give unto your 
bosom. For with the same measure that ye 
mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 

—Luke 6:38. 

“GIVE,” SAID THE LITTLE STREAM 

“ ‘Give/ said the little stream, 

‘ Give, Oh give, Give, Oh give, 

Give,’ said the little stream, 

As it hurried down the hill, 

* I am small, I know, but wherever I go, 

Give, Oh give, Give, Oh give. 

I am small, I know, but wherever I go, 

The fields grow greener still/ ” 

ffebruarp 24* 

Joy and light go together as the morning star, 
leads to sunrise . 

And these things write we unto you, that your 



TO START THE DAY 


35 


joy may be full. This then is the message which 
we have heard of him, and declare unto you, 
that God is light, and in him is no darkness at 
all.—1 John 1 : 4, 5. 

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS JESUS 
“The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin; 
The Light of the world is Jesus; 

Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in, 
The Light of the world is Jesus. 

“Come to the Light, ’tis shining for thee; 

Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me; 

Once I was blind, but now I can see; 

The Light of the world is Jesus / 9 

ffebruars 25♦ 

There is no Christian service equal to winning 
others to Christ . 

And they that be wise shall shine as the 
brightness of the firmament; and they that turn 
many to righteousness as the stars forever and 
ever.— Daniel 12:3. 

MUST I GO , AND EMPTY HANDED? 

“Must I go and empty handed, 

Thus my dear Redeemer meet ? 

Not one day of service give Him, 

Lay no trophy at His feet?” 

jpebruars 26. 

The words of the Divine Spirit witness for 
Christ . 

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, 
he will guide you into all truth: for he shall 



36 


TO'START THE DAY 


not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall 
hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you 
things to come.— John 16:13. 

COME, THOU FOUNT 
“O to grace how great a debtor 
Daily I’m constrained to be! 

Let that goodness, like a fetter, 

Bind my wandering heart to Thee.” 

ffebruar£ 27♦ 

Mental power may be a strong comrade of love. 
Fearful hearts are not Godlike. 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; 
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

—2 Timothy 1:7. 

SINCE JESUS IS MY FRIEND 
1 ‘ Since Jesus is my Friend, and I to Him belong, 

It matters not what foes intend, however fierce 
and strong. 

“He whispers in my breast sweet words of holy 
cheer, 

How they who seek in God their rest 
Shall ever find Him near.” 


Ifebruars 28. 

True wisdom begins with the divine mind. The 
better we know God, the better we know how 
to live. 

Evil men understand not judgment: but they 
that seek the Lord understand all things. 

—Proverbs 28:5. 



TO START THE DAY 


37 


HOLY, HOLY, HOLY 
* 1 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! 
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in 
earth and sky and sea; 

Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! 
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity l” 


ffebruars 29♦ 

If we would go to God’s word for wisdom, our, 
confidence therein would grow rapidly . 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wis¬ 
dom: a good understanding have all they that 
do his commandments: his praise endureth for¬ 
ever.— Psalm 111: 10. 

PRAISE THE LORD! 

“ Worship, honour, glory, blessing, 

Lord, we offer unto Thee; 

Young and old, Thy praise expressing, 

In glad homage bend the knee. 

All the saints in heaven adore Thee; 

We would bow before Thy throne: 

As Thine angels serve before Thee, 

So on earth Thy will be done .’ 7 



MARCH 


/IDarcb 1* 

The daily personal contest with evil is the real 
field of battle. 

I beseech, you therefore, brethren, by the 
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a 
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, 
which is your reasonable service. 

—Romans 12:1, 

LOVE DIVINE 

“ Breathe, 0 breathe Thy loving Spirit 
Into every troubled breast! 

Let us all in Thee inherit, 

Let us find the promised rest: 

Take away the love of sinning; 

Alpha and Omega be; 

End of faith, as its beginning! 

Set our hearts at liberty.” 

flbarcb 2* 

Transformed lives, are the result of mental 
alertness and immediate will-power. 

And be not conformed to this world: but be 
ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, 
that ye may prove what is that good, and ac¬ 
ceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

—Romans 12:2. 


38 


TO START THE DAY 


39 


A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD 
“A mighty fortress is our God, 

A bulwark never failing: 

Our Helper He, amid the flood 
Of mortal ills prevailing: 

For still our ancient foe 
Doth seek to work us woe; 

His craft and power are great, 
And, armed with cruel hate, 

On earth is not his equal / y 


fiDarcb 3* 

Faith, love and hope are companions in con¬ 
quest as in sentiment. 

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, put¬ 
ting on the breastplate of faith and love; and 
for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 

—1 Thessalonians 5:8. 

THE KING OF LOVE MY SHEPHERD IS 
‘ 1 The King of love my Shepherd is, 

Whose goodness faileth never, 

I nothing lack if I am His, 

And He is mine for ever.” 


dbarcb 4* 

Contentment cannot live with covetousness . 
The actual possession of Christ satisfies . 

Let your conversation be without covetous¬ 
ness; and be content with such things as ye 
have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, 
nor forsake thee.— Hebrews 13:5. 



40 


TO START THE DAY 


JESUS, I LIVE TO THEE 
“ Jesus, I live to Thee, 

The Loveliest and Best ; 
My life in Thee, 

Thy life in me, 

In Thy blest love I rest. ’ 7 


/SDarcb 5* 

Accepting the debt of another is an absolute 
test of friendship . 

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, 
put that on mine account.— Philemon 18 v. 

JESUS PAID IT ALL 
Cl Jesus paid it all, 

All to Him I owe; 

Sin had left a crimson stain, 

He washed it white as snow . 7 7 


/ibarcb 6* 

Without the self-control of the body influence 
and usefulness end . 

But I keep under my body, and bring it into 
subjection: lest that by any means, when I have 
preached to others, I myself should be a cast¬ 
away.—1 Corinthians 9 : 27. 

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT 
61 Fight the good fight with all thy might, 

Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right: 
Lay hold on life, and it shall be 
Thy joy and crown eternally.” 



TO START THE DAY 


41 


fibarcb 7* 

The Holy Spirit was sent to take Christ’s place 
in human affairs. He is everywhere present. 

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is ex¬ 
pedient for you that I go away: for if I go not 
away, the Comforter will not come unto you; 
but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 

—John 16:7. 

HOLY SPIRITTRUTH DIVINE 
“Holy Spirit, Truth Divine, 

Dawn upon this soul of mine; 

Word of God and inward Light, 

Wake my spirit, clear my sight.’’ 

/iDarcb 8* 

All nature is subject to the will of our God, 
and defines Him to those who see us. 

Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the 
waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who 
walketh upon the wings of the wind. 

—Psalm 104:3. 

SUN OF MY SOUL 
“Sun of my soul, Thou Saviour dear, 

It is not night if Thou be near; 

O may no earth-born cloud arise 
To hide Thee from Thy servant’s eyes.” 

fibarcb 9 . 

Christ does not always bear our burdens but 
provides a yoke to help us bear our own. 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are 
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my 



42 


TO START THE DAY 


yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek 
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto 
your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my bur¬ 
den is light.— Matthew 11:28, 29, 30. 

CAST THY BURDEN ON THE LORD 
* ‘ Cast thy burden on the Lord, 

Only lean upon His word; 

Thou wilt soon have cause to bless 
His unchanging faithfulness . 1 ’ 


/IDarcb 10* 

Grief for loved ones above is short-sighted. 
Theirs is a joy unspeakable and complete. 

For the Lamb wdiich is in the midst of the 
throne shall feed them, and shall lead them 
unto living fountains of water: and God shall 
wipe away all tears from their eyes. 

—Revelation 7:17. 

THE SWEET BY-AND-BY 
“We shall sing on that beautiful shore 
The melodious songs of the blest, 

And our spirits shall sorrow no more, 

Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.” 


/iDarcb ti. 

Cheerfulness and song show a heart at peace 
with God. 

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye 
lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come be¬ 
fore his presence with singing. 

—Psalm 100:1, 2. 



TO START THE DAY 


43 


REVIVE US AGAIN 
“We praise Thee, O God! 

For the Son of Thy love, 

For Jesns who died 
And is now gone above. 

Hallelujah! Thine the glory, 
Hallelujah! Amen; 

Hallelujah! Thine the glory, 

Revive us again . 9 ’ 

dbarcb 12 * 

Wisdom is not merely an evidence of discretion 
but an answer to prayer. 

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, 
that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth 
not; and it shall be given him. 

—James 1:5. 

SAVIOUR., TEACH ME DAY BY DAY 
* 1 Saviour, teach me day by day, 

Love’s sweet lesson,—to obey; 

Sweeter lesson cannot be, 

Loving Him who first loved me.” 

/ibarcb 13* 

There is no greater blessing than having spir¬ 
itual faith and vision into the life beyond. 

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the 
Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit 
of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of 
him: The eyes of your understanding being en¬ 
lightened ; that ye may know what is the hope 
of his calling, and what the riches of the glory 
of his inheritance in the saints. 

—Ephesians 1:17,18. 



44 


TO START THE DAY 


FOR ALL THE SAINTS 
“For all the saints who from their labours rest, 
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, 
Thy Name, 0 Jesus, be for ever blest. 

Alleluia! Alleluia! ’ ’ 


flDarcb 14* 

Interwoven souls make love vital, and solve all 
smaller problems of relationship. 

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be 
made perfect in one; and that the world may 
know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved 
them, as thou hast loved me.— John 17:23. 

ROCK OF AGES 
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 

Let me hide myself in Thee; 

Let the water and the blood, 

From Thy riven side which flowed, 

Be of sin the double cure, 

Cleanse me from its guilt and power.” 


flDarcb 15♦ 

Known weakness in human life leads to divine 
dependence. 

For what the law could not do, in that it was 
weak through the flesh, God sending his own 
Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, 
condemned sin in the flesh.— Romans 8:3. 



TO START THE DAY 


45 


IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL 
“In the hour of trial, 

Jesus, plead for me; 

Lest by base denial, 

I depart from Thee; 

When Thou see’st me waver, 

With a look recall, 

Nor for fear or favour 
Suffer me to fall. ,, 

/iDarcfo 16* 

A godly man was very ill. His friend saw his 
lips move . He was saying, “ God, whose 
God? My God shall supply my need. How 
much? All my need. Can He? According 
to His riches ,” and then he peacefully slept . 

But my God shall supply all your need ac¬ 
cording to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

—Philippians 4:19. 

JESUS 1 LOVER OF MY SOUL 
“Thou, O Christ, art all I want, 

More than all in Thee I find: 

Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, 

Heal the sick, and lead the blind. 

Just and holy is Thy name; 

I am all unrighteousness; 

False and full of sin I am, 

Thou art full of truth and grace.” 

ZlDarcb 17* 

The voice of God may come to us in the night 
watches, when alone, or on the highway in 
the sunlight. 

And the Lord came, and stood, and called as 



46 


TO START THE DAY 


at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel 
answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 

—1 Samuel 3:10. 

QUIET LORD , MY FROWARD HEART 
“Asa little child relies 

On a care beyond his own, 

Knows he’s neither strong nor wise, 

Fears to stir a step alone;— 

Let me thus with Thee abide, 

As my Father, Guard, and Guide.” 

tfbarcb 18. 

A sense of need linked to faith and will has 
power in it. 

Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto 
thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my 
sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy 
sight: thy faith hath saved thee. 

—Luke 18:41, 42. 

O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO 
* ‘ 0 Light, that f ollowest all my way, 

I yield my flickering torch to Thee; 

My heart restores its borrowed ray, 

That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day 
May brighter, fairer be.” 

/ibarcb 19. 

Profanity is usually a careless and thoughtless 
habit, rather than a blasphemous intention. 

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord 
thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him 
guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 

—Exodus 20:7. 




TO START THE DAY 


47 


PENITENCE 
“Purer yet and purer 
I would be in mind; 
Dearer yet and dearer 
Every duty find; 
Hoping still and trusting 
God without a fear, 
Patiently believing 

He will make all clear.” 


flbarcb 20* 

Long life is promised to those who honour and 
obey their parents . 

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy 
days may be long upon the land which the Lord 
thy God giveth thee.— Exodus 20:12. 

/ WAS A WANDERING SHEEP 
“The Shepherd sought His sheep, 

The Father sought His child; 

They followed me o’er vale and hill, 

O ’er deserts waste and wild: 

They found me nigh to death, 

Famished and faint and lone; 

They bound me with the bands of love, 
They saved the wandering one.” 


dbarcb 2t* 

Witnessing for Christ begins at home . “The 
light that shines farthest shines brightest at 
home” 

But ye shall receive power, after that the 
Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be 
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in 



48 


TO START THE DAY 


all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto tlie utter¬ 
most part of the earth.— Acts 1:8. 

YOUR MISSION 
“If you cannot on the ocean 
Sail among the swiftest fleet, 

Rocking on the highest billows, 

Laughing at the storms you meet ; 

You can stand among the sailors, 

Anchored yet within the bay, 

You can lend a hand to help them, 

As they launch their boats away.” 

flbarcb 22* 

’Nothing develops and enriches a man’s life as 
contact with God . 

And when he was come into his own country, 
he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch 
that they were astonished, and said, Whence 
hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty 
works?— Matthew 13:54. 

IN THE GARDEN 

“And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 
And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known.” 

/IDarcb 23* 

The thoughtful study of God’s Word means 
worthy service and truthful interpretation . 

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a 
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 
rightly dividing the word of truth. 

—2 Timothy 2 : 15. 




TO START THE DAY 


49 


WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE 
“Christ, the blessed One, gives to all, 
Wonderful words of Life; 

Sinner, list to the loving call, 

Wonderful words of Life. 

All so freely given, wooing us to heaven: 
Beautiful words, wonderful words, 
Wonderful words of Life.” 


jflbarcb 24* 

A controlled tongue is worth more than logical 
argument or brilliant repartee . 

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep 
the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to 
any evil thing.— Psalm 141: 3, 4. 

HOLY OFFERINGS 
“Sinful thoughts and wilful ways, 

Love of self and human praise, 

Pride of life and lust of eye, 

Worldly pomp and vanity— 

Faults that let and will not leave us, 

Though their staying sorely grieves us, 

Help, oh, help us to outlive them; 

Christ, atone for! God, forgive them!” 


/Ibarcb 25* 

Companionship and conversation in which 
Christian thoughts enter mean the presence 
of Christ . 

Then they that feared the Lord spake often 
one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and 
heard it, and a book of remembrance was writ¬ 
ten before him for them that feared the Lord, 



50 


TO START THE DAY 


and that thought upon his name. And they 
shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that 
day when I make up my jewels. 

—Malachi 3 : 16, 17. 

WHEN HE COMETH 
“ When He cometh, when He cometh, 

To make up His jewels, 

All His jewels, precious jewels, 

His loved and His own.” 

/Ibarcb 26. 

The unrecognized Christ is in our midst to-day . 

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long 
time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, 
Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the 
Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the 
Father?— John 14:9. 

JESUS, THESE EYES HAVE NEVER SEEN 
“ Jesus, these eyes have never seen 
That radiant form of Thine! 

The vail of sense hangs dark between 
Thy blessed face and mine!” 

/Ibarcb 27* 

It is only natural for men of the world to he 
perplexed and unresponsive to spiritual 
things . 

But the natural man receiveth not the things 
of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness 
unto him: neither can he know them, because 
they are spiritually discerned. 

— 1 Corinthians 2 : 14. 



TO START THE DAY 


51 


RESCUE THE PERISHING 
“ Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, 
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; 
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen, 
Tell them of Jesus the Mighty to save.” 


flDarcb 28* 

The now of mystery leads to the then of un¬ 
derstanding . Now faith , then sight . 

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but 
then face to face: now I know in part; but then 
shall I know even as also I am known. And 
now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; 
but the greatest of these is charity. 

—1 Corinthians 13:12,13. 

SAVED BY GRACE 

“Some day the silver cord will break, 

And I no more as now shall sing; 

But 0, the joy when I shall wake 
Within the palace of the King!” 


flbarcb 29* 

Sometime we shall see the face and the beautg 
of Jesus Christ and then our real transforma¬ 
tion will take place . 

But we all, with open face beholding as in 
a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into 
the same image from glory to glory, even as by 
the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Corinthians 3:18. 



52 


TO START THE DAY 


SAVED BY GRACE 
“And I shall see Him face to face, 
And tell the story—saved by grace; 
And I shall see Him face to face, 

And tell the story—saved by grace.” 


/Ibarcb 30. 

The great work of Christ was reconciliation. 
The great work of the Christian is to reconcile 
men to God through Christ. 

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as 
though God did beseech you by us: we pray you 
in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 

—2 Corinthians 5:20. 

THE KING'S BUSINESS 
‘‘1 am a stranger here, within a foreign land ; 

My home is far away upon a golden strand; 
Ambassador to be of realms beyond the sea, 

I’m here on business for my King. 

This is the message that I bring, 

A message angels fain would sing: 

* Oh, be ye reconciled, ’ Thus saith my Lord 
and King, 

‘Oh, be ye reconciled to God.’ ” 


flbarcb 31. 

When divine love has touched our lips and lives 
we are ready to go anywhere for Christ. 

And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, 
this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity 
is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I 
Reard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall 



TO STAET THE DAY 


53 


I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, 
Here am I; send me.— Isa iah 6:7, 8. 

ANYWHERE WITH JESUS 
** Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go, 

Anywhere He leads me in this world below. 
Anywhere without Him, dearest joys would fade, 
Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid. 

* 1 Anywhere! anywhere! Fear I cannot know. 
Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.” 



APRIL 


Bpril l. 

The permanent element in life is not the phys¬ 
ical but the spiritual. Life passes on but 
character conveyed remains . 

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower 
of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind 
passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place 
thereof shall know it no more. 

—Psalm 103:15, 16. 

JESUS, / MY CROSS HAVE TAKEN 
“ Haste then on from grace to glory, 

Armed by faith, and winged by prayer! 
Heaven’s eternal day’s before thee, 

God’s own hand shall guide thee there; 

Soon shall close thy earthly mission, 

Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days, 

Hope soon change to glad fruition, 

Faith to sight, and prayer to praise .’ 9 

Hpril 2* 

This verse shows us the secret of self-control. 
It is in the control of our speech. 

For in many things we offend all. If any man 
offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, 
and able also to bridle the whole body. 

—James 3:2. 


54 


TO START THE DAY 


55 


TAKE MY LIFE 
Take my voice, and let me sing, 

Always, only, for my King. 

Take my lips and let them be 
Filled with messages from Thee.” 

Hprtl 3* 

When doubtful it is well to wait for God’s voice. 
Our own plans are often as unwise as they 
are impatient. 

For he wist not what to say; for they were 
sore afraid. And there was a cloud that over¬ 
shadowed them: and a voice came out of the 
cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear 
him.—M ark 9: 6, 7. 

LORD, SPEAK TO ME 
11 Lord, speak to me, that I may speak 
In living echoes of Thy tone; 

As Thou hast sought, so let me seek 
Thy erring children lost and lone/ ’ 

Hprtl 4* 

Separation from Christ is unprofitable. If 
there is to be fruit, there must be contact. 

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that 
abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth 
forth much fruit; for without me ye can do 
nothing.—J ohn 15:5. 

HE THAT GOETH FORTH WITH WEEPING 
(1 He that goeth forth with weeping, 
Bearing precious seed in love, 

Never tiring, never sleeping, 

Findeth mercy from above.” 






56 


TO START THE DAY 


Hpril 5* 

Soul-winners are not born but developed . 

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, 
and I will make you to become fishers of men. 

—Mark 1:17. 

WHERE HE LEADS ME I WILL FOLLOW 
1 1 Where He leads me I will follow, 

Where He leads me I will follow, 

Where He leads me I will follow, 

I’ll go with Him, with Him, all the way.” 

Hpril 6. 

Wealth weaves its own web of selfishness. Pos¬ 
session often means possessed by. 

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt he perfect, 
go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, 
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and 
come and follow me. But when the young man 
heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for 
he had great possessions.— Matthew 19:21, 22. 

TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE 
“Take my silver and my gold; 

Not a mite would I withhold. 

Take my intellect and use 
Every power as Thou shalt choose.” 

Hpril 7* 

The attitude of others to us is not the important 
matter but our attitude to them. 

Keep yourself in the love of God, looking for 
the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal 
life.— Jude 21 v. 



TO START THE DAY 


57 


HOLY SPIRIT 
1 ‘ Holy Spirit, Love Divine, 

Glow within this heart of mine; 

Kindle every high desire; 

Perish self in Thy pure fire!” 

Hpril 8 * 

Holman Hunt, the great artist of “ The Light 
of the World ” when asked why he had not 
painted a latch on the door before which 
Christ was standing said, “ The latch of this 
door is on the inside” 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any 
man hear my voice, and open the door, I will 
come in to him, and will sup with him, and he 
with me.— Revelation 3:20. 

KNOCKING, KNOCKING , WHO IS THERE? 

“Knocking, knocking, who is there? 

Waiting, waiting, O how fair! 

’Tis a pilgrim, strange and kingly, 

Never such was seen before, 

Ah! my soul, for such a wonder, 

Wilt thou not undo the door ? ’ 9 

Bpdl 9- 

The tithe was God’s method of support and 
benevolence . When Christians will give a 
tenth to God, the question of giving will be 
settled . 

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, 
that there may be meat in mine house, and 
prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, 
if I will not open you the windows of heaven, 



58 


TO START THE DAY 


and pour you out a blessing, that there shall 
not be room enough to receive it. 

—Malachi 3:10. 

WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS 
“ Were the whole realm of nature mine, 

That were a present far too small; 

Love so amazing, so divine, 

Demands my soul, my life, my all.” 


Bprti 10* 

In days of discouragement a hopeful prophecy 
inspires . This promise has no limitation. 

For the earth shall be filled with the knowl¬ 
edge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters 
cover the sea.— Habakkuk 2:14. 

JESUS , I MY CROSS HAVE TAKEN 
* 1 Soul, then know thy full salvation, 

Rise o’er sin and fear and care; 

Joy to find in every station 
Something still to do or bear; 

Think what Spirit dwells within thee ,* 

Think what Father’s smile is thine, 

Think what Saviour died to win thee! 

Child of heaven, shouldst thou repine?” 


HprU 11* 

There is something magnificent about great 
mountains—stability is blended with gran¬ 
deur. 

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all 
generations. Before the mountains were 



TO START THE DAY 


59 


brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the 
earth and the world, even from everlasting to 
everlasting, thou art God.— Psalm 90:1, 2. 

MIGHTY GOD , WHILE ANGELS BLESS THEE 
“ Mighty God, while angels bless Thee, 

May a mortal sing Thy Name? 

Lord of men, as well as angels! 

Thou art every creature’s theme .’ 9 

Bpnl 12. 

j Repentance, revival and restoration follow 
when people and priest wait before God . 

And all the people gathered themselves to¬ 
gether as one man . . . and Ezra the priest 

brought the law . . . and he read therein 

before the street that was before the water 
gate from the morning until midday, before the 
men and the women, and those that could under¬ 
stand; and the ears of all the people were at¬ 
tentive unto the book of the law. 

—Nehemiah 8:1, 2, 3. 

WEARY OF EARTH 
“It is the voice of Jesus that I hear; 

His are the hands stretched out to draw me near, 
And His the blood that can for all atone, 

And set me faultless there before the throne.” 

Bprtl 13. 

Daily unitefd prayer yields joy, purpose, good¬ 
will and growth. A constant revival shows 
healthy and has no feverish symptoms. 

And they, continuing daily with one accord 



60 


TO START THE DAY 


in the temple, and breaking bread from house 
to house, did eat their meat with gladness and 
singleness of heart, praising God and having 
favour with all the people. And the Lord 
added to the church daily such as should be 
saved.— Acts 2:46, 47. 

MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE 
“My faith looks up to Thee, 

Thou Lamb of Calvary, 

Saviour Divine: 

Now hear me while I pray, 

Take all my guilt away, 

0 let me from this day 
Be wholly Thine.” 


Epdl 14* 

Caution and care must be constant or unbelief 
will deceive, harden and mislead . 

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of 
you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from 
the living God. But exhort one another daily, 
while it is called To-day; lest any of you be 
hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 

—Hebrews 3:12, 13. 

REVIVE THY WORK 
“Revive Thy work, O Lord, 

Thy mighty arm make bare; 

Speak with the voice that wakes the 
dead, 

And make Thy people hear.” 



TO START THE DAY 


61 


Hptll 15* 

The still small voice is the power that ever 
sways the heart of man and influences na¬ 
tions. 

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the 
mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord 
passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the 
mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before 
the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: 
and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord 
was not in the earthquake: and after the earth¬ 
quake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: 
and after the fire a still small voice. 

—1 Kings 19:11,12. 

SPIRIT OF GOD 

“Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh; 
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear, 

To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh; 

Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.” 


Bprtl 16* 

God’s fatherhood makes Deity very real and 
near. 

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good 
gifts unto your children, how much more shall 
your Father which is in heaven give good gifts 
to them that ask him?— Matthew 7:11. 



62 


TO START THE DAY 


SINCE THY FATHER’S ARM SUSTAINS THEE 
4 ‘Since thy Father’s arm sustains thee, 
Peaceful be; 

When a chastening hand restrains thee, 

It is He! 

Know His love in full completeness 
Fills the measure of thy weakness; 

If He wound thy spirit sore, 

Trust Him more.” 

Bpril 17. 

The house of God is the place of the presence 
of God . Learn to go alone to the house of 
God for quiet meditation . 

That thine eyes may be open toward this 
house night and day, even toward the place of 
which thou hast said, My name shall be there: 
that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which 
thy servant shall make toward this place. 

— 1 Kings 8:29. 

THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE 
“The Lord is in His holy temple, 

The Lord is in His holy temple ; 

Let all the earth keep silence, 

Let all the earth keep silence before Him, 
Keep silence, keep silence before Him.” 


Bpril 18. 

The cross has been the most powerful influence 
in the world to save and construct . 

For I determined not to know anything 
among you, save Jesus Christ, and him cruci¬ 
fied. . . . And my speech and my preach- 



TO START THE DAY 


63 


ing was not with enticing words of man’s wis¬ 
dom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of 
power.—1 Corinthians 2:2, 4. 

BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS 
*‘ Beneath the cross of Jesus, 

I fain would take my stand,— 

The shadow of a mighty rock, 

Within a weary land; 

A home within the wilderness, 

A rest upon the way, 

From the burning of the noontide heat, 

And the burden of the day.” 


Hprtl 19* 

Bordering sins are those that walk near the 
edge . A pious inclination will not save from 
a fall. 

Abstain from all appearance of evil. 

— 1 Thessalonians 5:22. 

I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR 
(( I need Thee every hour; 

Stay Thou near by; 

Temptations lose their power 
When Thou art nigh . 9 9 


Bpril 20* 

Repeating evil report increases appetite for evil. 

For he that will love life, and see good days, 
let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips 
that they speak no guile.—1 Peter 3:10. 



64 


TO START THE DAY 


COMB, HOLY GHOST 
“ Exalt our low desires; 

Extinguish passion’s fires; 

Heal every wound: 

Our stubborn spirits bend, 

Our icy coldness end, 

Our devious steps attend, 

While heavenward bound.” 

Bpril 2U 

Belief must be characterized by service. The 
world ignores creed that reveals greed. 

This is a faithful saying, and these things I 
will that thou affirm constantly, that they which 
have believed in God might be careful to main¬ 
tain good works. These things are good and 
profitable unto men.— Titus 3: 8. 

MY GOD, HOW ENDLESS IS THY LOVEl 
“My God, how endless is Thy love! 

Thy gifts are every evening new; 

And morning mercies, from above, 

Gently distil, like earthly dew. 

“I yield my powers to Thy command; 

To Thee I consecrate my days; 

Perpetual blessings from Thy hand 
Demand perpetual songs of praise / 9 

Bpril 22. 

A son bears the name of his father, and the 
father is honoured or dishonoured by the son. 

For this is the message that ye heard from 
the beginning, that we should love one another. 

—1 John 3:11. 



TO START THE DAY 


65 


BEHOLD, WHAT LOVE! 
iC Behold, what love, what boundless love, 

The Father hath bestowed on sinners lost, 

That we should be now called the sons of God! 
Behold what manner of love! 

What manner of love the Father hath bestowed 
upon us, 

That we, that we should be called, 

Should be called the sons of God.” 


Hpril 23. 

The hope of His coming and the hope of heaven 
alike purify life and lessen present separa¬ 
tion . 

Behold, now are we the sons of God, and it 
doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we 
know that, when he shall appear, we shall be 
like him; for we shall see him as he is. And 
every man that hath this hope in him purifieth 
himself, even as he is pure.—1 John 3 : 2, 3. 

SAVED BY GRACE 

“Some day: till then I HI watch and wait, 

My lamp all trimmed and burning bright, 
That when my Saviour opes the gate, 

My soul to Him may take its flight.” 


Bpril 24. 

Only One can keep us steady and keep us from 
falling. 

Now unto him that is able to keep you from 
falling, and to present you faultless before the 
presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the 



.66 


TO STAET THE DAY 


only wise God, onr Saviour, be glory and maj¬ 
esty, dominion and power, both now and ever. 
Amen,— Jude 24, 25. 

TRUST AND OBEY 
“ When we walk with the Lord 
In the light of His word, 

What a glory He sheds on our way! 

While we do His good will, 

He abides with us still, 

And with all who will trust and obey.” 


Hpril 25. 

Language is the clothing of thought: words are 
the garments of meditation . 

Let the words of my mouth, and the medita¬ 
tion of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O 
Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. 

—Psalm 19:14. 

" WHITER THAN SNOW” 

“Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the 
skies, 

And help me to make a complete sacrifice; 

I give up myself, and whatever I know, 

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” 


Hprtl 26. 

God is everywhere and can transform a wilder¬ 
ness spot into a Bethel . 

And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he 
said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I 
knew it not.— Genesis 28:16. 



TO START THE DAY 


67 


SEND THEM AWAY 
“The world about us everywhere 
Has many a desert spot 
Where souls are hungering for God’s food, 
And lo, they find it not. 

Oh, let us heed the Saviour’s voice, 

And answer Him in love, 

With willing hearts and eager hands 
Bring blessings from above. ’ ’ 


Bpril 27 * 

A right start in the morning has much to do 
with the day’s value and finish . 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O 
Lord; In the morning will I direct my prayer 
unto thee, and will look up.— Psalm 5:2, 3. 

NEW EVERY MORNING 
“New mercies, each returning day, 

Hover around us, while we pray; 

New perils past, new sins forgiven, 

New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.” 


Bpril 28* 

When assurance and confidence go together 
they lead to commitment and security . 

For the which cause I also suffer these 
things: nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I 
know whom I have believed, and am persuaded 
that he is able to keep that which I have com¬ 
mitted unto him against that day. 

—2 Timothy 1:12. 



TO START THE DAY 


68 

; — 


HARK, MY SOUL! 

“Mine is an unchanging love, 

Higher than the heights above; 
Deeper than the depths beneath— 
Free and faithful—strong as death.” 


Bprtl 29* 

Patience associated with work leads to com¬ 
pleteness of life . 

But let patience have her perfect work, that 
ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

—James 1:4. 


O MASTER, LET ME WALK WITH THEE 
“Teach me Thy patience! still with Thee 
In closer, dearer company, 

In work that keeps faith sweet and strong, 
In trust that triumphs over wrong.” 


Bpril 30, 

Service can never substitute for affection . 
Love has a heart as well as a hand. 

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath 
chosen that good part, which shall not be taken, 
away from her.— Luke 10:42. 

JESUS, THOU JOY OF LOVING HEARTS. 

“Our restless spirits yearn for Thee, 

Where’er our changeful lot is cast; 

Glad, when Thy gracious smile we see, 

Blest, when our faith can hold Thee fast.’* 



MAY 


/Bag t. 

The name of Jesus is the most loved name in all 
the world. 

And she shall bring forth a son, and thon 
shalt call his name Jesus : for he shall save his 
people from their sins.— Matthew 1:21. 

JESUS, THY NAME I LOVE 
“ Jesns, Thy Name I love 
All other names above, 

Jesns, my Lord: 

O Thon art all to me; 

Nothing to please I see, 

Nothing apart from Thee, 

Jesns, my Lord.” 

/if>ap 2* 

€C Never can the heart be lonely 
If it find a lonelier still.” 

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil 
the law of Christ. For every man shall bear 
his own burden.— Galatians 6: 2, 5. 

NOT I, BUT CHRIST 

“ ‘Not I, but Christ,’ to gently soothe in sorrow; 
‘Not I, but Christ,’ to wipe the falling tear: 

‘Not I, but Christ,’ to lift the weary burden; 

‘Not I, but Christ,’ to hush away all fear.” 

69 


70 


TO START THE DAY 


flDap 3* 

The crises in life demand meditation and 
prayer. Arabia is needed before Jerusalem . 

But when it pleased God to reveal his Son in 
me, that I might preach him among the 
heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh 
and blood.— Galatians 1:15,16. 

SINCE THY FATHER'S ARM SUSTAINS THEE 
( ‘ Without murmur, uncomplaining, 

In His hand 

Lay whatever things thou canst not 
Understand: 

Though the world thy folly spurneth, 

From thy faith in pity turneth, 

Peace thy inmost soul shall fill— 

Lying still. ’ ’ 


flOap 4* 

Great anticipation supplies endurance and 
overlooks misunderstanding. 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher 
of our faith; who for the joy that was set be¬ 
fore him endured the cross, despising the shame, 
and is set down at the right hand of the throne 
of God.— Hebrews 12:2. 

FOR ALL THE SAINTS 
“But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day; 

The saints triumphant rise in bright array; 

The King of Glory passes on His way, 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 



TO STABT THE DAY 


71 


* 1 From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest 
coast, 

Through gates of pearl streams in the countless 
host, 

Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost, 

Alleluia! Alleluia!'' 

5* 

Following the path of duty allows no side ex¬ 
cursions . 

Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and 
to do all that is written in the book of the law 
of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to 
the right hand or to the left.— Joshua 23:6. 

STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS 
“ Stand up, stand up for Jesus, 

The trumpet call obey; 

Forth to the mighty conflict 
In this His glorious day: 

Ye that are men now serve Him 
Against unnumbered foes; 

Let courage rise with danger, 

And strength to strength oppose.'' 

flbav 6 ♦ 

Common sense and quick courage should help 
a man run from temptation . 

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and 
go not in the way of evil men.— Proverbs 4:14. 

GENTLY, LORD, 0 GENTLY LEAD US 
“When temptation's darts assail us, 

When in devious paths we stray, 

Let Thy goodness never fail us, 

Lead us in Thy perfect way." 



72 


TO START THE DAY 


7* 

Church attendance and fellowship in worship 
are worth all they cost . 

And let us consider one another to provoke 
unto love and to good works: not forsaking the 
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner 
of some is.— Hebrews 10: 24, 25. 

I LOVE THY KINGDOM, LORD 
“I love Thy Church, O God! 

Her walls before Thee stand, 

Dear as the apple of Thine eye, 

And graven on Thy hand. 

“Beyond my highest joy 
I prize her heavenly ways, 

Her sweet communion, solemn vows, 

Her hymns of love and praise. ’ ’ 


/JDap 8. 

The continual ties sings of God are immeasur¬ 
able and their consideration leads to sincerity 
and loyalty . 

Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth 
with all your heart: for consider how great 
things he hath done for you. 

—Samuel 12:24. 

MAJESTIC SWEETNESS 
“Since from His bounty I receive 
Such proofs of love divine, 

Had I a thousand hearts to give, 

Lord! they should all be Thine / 9 



TO START THE DAY 


73 


/IDa£ 0* 

Mere forms of worship can never satisfy a God 
who craves the devotion of the heart . 

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this 
people draw near me with their mouth, and with 
their lips do honour me, but have removed their 
heart far from me, and their fear toward me is 
taught by the precept of men.— Isaiah 29:13. 

COME , HOLY SPIRIT, HEAVENLY DOVE 
* 1 Dear Lord, and shall we ever live 
At this poor dying rate— 

Our love so faint, so cold to Thee, 

And Thine to us so great ? 

“Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove! 

With all Thy quickening powers; 

Come, shed abroad a Saviour’s love, 

And that shall kindle ours.’’ 

(IMy to* 

Leadership, providence, divine satisfaction, 
restoration, sustentation—all these belong to 
a good man . 

The steps of a good man are ordered by the 
Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he 
fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the 
Lord upholdeth him with his hand. 

—Psalm 37:23, 24. 

THE SPIRIT BREATHES UPON THE WORD 
“My soul rejoices to pursue 
The steps of Him I love, 

Till glory break upon my view 
In brighter worlds above.” 



74 


TO STAKT THE DAY 


/IDa£ 11* 

Some one has defined a man’s character as 
“ What God sees him do in the dark ” 

Work out your own salvation with fear and 
trembling, for it is God which worketh in you 
both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

—Philippians 2:12, 13. 

MY SOUL, BB ON THY GUARD 
“Ne’er think the victory won, 

Nor lay thine armour down; 

Thine arduous work will not be done, 

Till thou obtain thy crown. ” 


ffiap 12* 

Christ put great stress on forgiveness . It takes 
two to make or continue a quarrel. 

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one 
another, if any man have a quarrel against any: 
even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 

—Colossians 3:13. 

LORD, AS TO THY DEAR CROSS WB FLEE 
“ Should friends misjudge, or foes defame, 

Or brethren faithless prove, 

Then, like Thine own, be all our aim 
To conquer them by love. 

“Kept peaceful in the midst of strife, 

Forgiving and forgiven, 

O may we lead the pilgrim’s life, 

And follow Thee to heaven.” 



TO STAET THE DAY 


75 


ttbay 13 * 

Youthful example in consistent act and Jcindly 
spirit will silence ridicule . 

Let no man despise thy youth; hut be thou an 
example of the believers, in word, in conversa¬ 
tion, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 

—1 Timothy 4:12. 

THOU ART THE WAY 
* ‘ Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life: 
Grant us that Way to know, 

That Truth to keep, that Life to win, 

Whose joys eternal flow.” 


fl&as 14. 

Many a life friend has been made out of an 
enemy by the grace of Jesus Christ . 

But I say unto you which hear, Love your 
enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless 
them that curse you, and pray for them which 
despitefully use you.— Luke 6 :27, 28. 

GOD IS MY STRONG SALVATION 
“Though hosts encamp around me, 

Firm to the fight I stand ; 

, What terror can confound me, 

With God at my right hand? 

“His might thy heart shall strengthen, 

His love thy joy increase; 

Mercy thy days shall lengthen; 

The Lord will give thee peace/* 




76 


TO START THE DAY 


flbav 15. 

Christians who gossip cause the Master grief, 
their friends distress, and disintegrate so¬ 
ciety. 

He that covereth a transgression seeketh 
love; hut he that repeateth a matter separateth 
very friends.— Proverbs 17: 9. 

PENITENCE 

“Calmer yet and calmer, trials bear and pain, 
Surer yet and surer, peace at last to gain; 
Suffering still and doing, to His will resigned, 
And to God subduing heart, and will,and mind.” 

/IDap 16* 

Faith and works; love and labour; hope and 
patience—these are partners well pleasing to 
God. 

Remembering without ceasing your work of 
faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope 
in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God 
and our Father.—1 Thessalonians 1 : 3. 

SPIRIT OF GOD 

‘ ‘ Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love, 
One holy passion filling all my frame; 

The baptism of the heaven-descended Dove, 
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.” 

/n>a£ 17* 

He who sees his brother’s need and meets it sees 
Christ in every-day life. 

And the King shall answer and say unto 
them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye 



TO START THE DAY 


77 


have done it unto one of the least of these my 
brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

—Matthew 25:40. 

IMMORTAL LOVE 
“ Immortal Love, forever full, 

Forever flowing free, 

Forever shared, forever whole, 

A never ebbing sea! ’’ 


/IDap 18. 

The extra work of life makes life worth living . 
The second mile countsj no time-server was 
ever happy. 

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, 
go with him twain. Give to him that asketh 
thee, and from him that would borrow of thee 
turn not thou away.— Matthew 5:41, 42. 

MY DEAR REDEEMER AND MY LORD 
4 ‘Such was Thy truth, and such Thy zeal, 

Such deference to Thy Father’s will, 

Such love and meekness so divine, 

I would transcribe and make them mine.” 


19. 

Love "begets love and is rewarded. If human 
hearts crave real affection , how much more 
the heart of God. 

Because he hath set his love upon me, there¬ 
fore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, 
because he hath known my name. 

—Psalm 91:14. 




78 


TO START THE DAY 


JESUS, LOVBR OF MY SOUL 
“Jesus, Lover of my soul, 

Let me to Thy bosom fly, 

While the nearer waters roll, 
While the tempest still is high: 
Hide me, 0 my Saviour hide, 
Till the storm of life is past; 
Safe into the haven guide, 

0 receive my soul at last.” 


/JDa£ 20♦ 

Prayer for understanding and wisdom touched 
the heart of God. 

And God said unto him, Because thou hast 
asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself 
long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, 
nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but 
hast asked for thyself understanding to discern 
judgment; behold, I have done according to thy 
words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an un¬ 
derstanding heart.—1 Kings 3:11,12. 

BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS 
“I take, 0 cross, thy shadow 
For my abiding-place : 

I ask no other sunshine than 
The sunshine of His face; 

Content to let the world go by, 

To know no gain nor loss; 

My sinful self my only shame, 

My glory all, the cross.” 



TO START THE DAY 


79 


may 21 

"Righteousness has its full reward in living in 
the high places of earth and seeing afar. 

He that walketh righteously, and speaketh 
uprightly ... he shall dwell on high 
. . . they shall behold the land that is very 

far off.—I saiah 33:15,16,17. 

CALL JEHOVAH THY SALVATION 
‘ 1 Call Jehovah thy Salvation, 

Rest beneath the Almighty’s shade, 

In His secret habitation, 

Dwell, and never be dismayed: 

There no tumult shall alarm thee, 

Thou shalt dread no hidden snare; 

Guile nor violence can harm thee, 

In eternal safeguard there.” 

may 22. 

A shepherd has but one thought and that for 
his sheep. Food, shelter, protection, leader¬ 
ship his care provides. 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He 
leadeth me beside the still waters. 

—Psalm 23:1, 2. 

SAVIOUR !, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US 
“Saviour, like a Shepherd lead us, 

Much we need Thy tenderest care; 

In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, 

For our use Thy folds prepare: 

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, 

Thou hast bought us, Thine we are; 

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, 

Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.” 



80 


TO START THE DAY 


/[Dap 23* 

Faith not only is fearless but it has vision, and 
the power to pray vision into others’ eyes . 

And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray 
thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the 
Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he 
saw.—2 Kings 6:17. 

0 LAMB OF GOD 
‘ * 0 Lamb of God, still keep me 
Near to Thy wounded side; 

’Tis only there in safety 
And peace I can abide. 

What foes and snares surround me, 

What doubts and fears within! 

The grace that sought and found me 
Alone can keep me clean . 9 y 

/IDap 24* 

Purity of heart and life insure position■, security 
and honour . 

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? 
or who shall stand in his holy place? He that 
hath clean hands and a pure heart. 

— Psalm 24:3, 4. 

'SEARCHER OF HEARTS 
u Searcher of hearts, from mine erase 
All thoughts that should not be, 

And in its deep recesses trace 
My gratitude to Thee.” 

/IDap 25* 

When heart, mind and will unite in seeking 
Gody He is found . 

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the 



TO START THE DAY 


81 


God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect 
heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord 
searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the 
imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, 
he will be found of thee.—1 Chronicles 28: 9. 

JESUS, THOU JOY OF LOVING HEARTS 
“Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood; 

Thou savest those that on Thee call; 

To them that seek Thee Thou art good, 

To them that find Thee All in all.” 


/H>ap 26 . 

The most compelling word of divine love is 
“ Come” It runs from the ark to Calvary, 
and to the very gate of heaven. 

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And 
let him that heareth say, Come. And let him 
that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let 
him take the water of life freely. 

—Revelation 22:17. 

ART THOU WEARY, ART THOU LANGUID 
“Art thou weary, art thou languid, 

Art thou sore distressed? 

‘Come to Me/ saith One, ‘and coming, 

Be at rest.’ 

“Finding, following, keeping, struggling, 

Is He sure to bless? 

Saints, apostles, prophets, martyrs, 

Answer, ‘Yes/ ” 




82 


TO START THE DAY 


/!fca}£ 21. 

Whole-hearted worship and work bring pros¬ 
perity and confidence. 

And in every work that he began in the serv¬ 
ice of the house of God, and in the law, and in 
the commandments, to seek his God, he did it 
with all his heart, and prospered. 

—2 Chronicles 31:21. 

TRUB-HBARTBD, WHOLB-HBARTBD 
“ True-hearted, whole-hearted, faithful and loyal, 
King of our lives by Thy grace we will be; 

Under the standard, exalted and royal, 

Strong in Thy strength, we will battle for Thee.” 

/iDas 28. 

Some people are so busy doing what they want 
to do that they have no time to do what they 
ought to do. 

That the Lord thy God may shew us the way 
wherein we may walk, and the thing that we 
may do.— Jeremiah 42: 3. 

FATHBR, I KNOW THAT ALL MY LIFB 
“ Father, I know that all my life 
Is portioned out for me; 

The changes that are sure to come, 

I do not fear to see: 

I ask Thee for a present mind, 

Intent on pleasing Thee. 

“I would not have the restless will 
That hurries to and fro, 

Seeking for some great thing to do, 

Or secret thing to know; 

I would be treated as a child, 

And guided where I go.” 




TO START THE DAY 


83 


/!Das 29* 

The text implies a time when God is far distant 
or cannot be found, “Now is the accepted 
time.” “Do it now” has become a world- 
wide motto. 

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call 
ye upon him while he is near.— Isaiah 55:6. 

WHY DO YOU WAITt 
“Why do you wait, dear brother, 

Oh, why do you tarry so long! 

Your Saviour is waiting to give you 
A place in His sanctified throng/ * 


3<X 

First things first for God, and then God will 
add all needed secondary gifts. 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his 
righteousness; and all these things shall be 
added unto you.— Matthew 6:33. 

IMMORTAL, LOVE 
“0 Lord, and Master of us all, 

What e’er our name or sign, 

We own Thy sway, we hear Thy call, 

We test our lives by Thine! ’ ’ 


/IDa£ 3L 

Christ is able: able to save: able to save to the 
uttermost: able to save to the uttermost all 
who come. 

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the 




84 


TO START THE DAY 


uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing 
he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 

—Hebrews 7 : 25. 

THBRB IS A FOUNTAIN FILLED WITH BLOOD 
*‘ Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood 
Shall never lose its power 
Till all the ransomed Church of God 
Be saved, to sin no more.” 




JUNE 


June t. 

Stability and sincerity go together . A true 
Christian will hasten from wrong . 

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth 
sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them 
that are his. And, Let every one that nameth 
the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 

—2 Timothy 2:19. 

CHRISTIAN, DOST THOU SEE THEM 
i ‘ Christian, dost thou see them 
On the holy ground, 

How the powers of darkness 
Rage thy steps around? 

Christian, up and smite them, 

Counting gain but loss, 

Smite them by the merit 
Of the holy cross . 9 9 

June 2* 

How few who die have all in order to meet 
death . The spiritual state of affairs is far 
more important than the material . 

In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. 
And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came 
to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, 
Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, 
and not live.—2 Kings 20:1. 

85 


86 


TO" START THE DAY 


NEW EVERY MORNING 
1 ‘ The trivial round, the common task, 
Will furnish all we ought to ask; 
Room to deny ourselves, a road 
To bring us daily nearer God.” 


June 3* 

Think of fifteen years added to the life of a 
dying man. Have we a purpose in our next 
fifteen years? 

Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of 
my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of 
David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I 
have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: 
on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house 
of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days 
fifteen years.— 2 Kings 20: 5. 

WHILE WITH CEASELESS COURSE THE SUN 
1 ‘ Thanks for mercies past receive; 

Pardon for our sins renew; 

Teach us henceforth how to live 
With eternity in view; 

Bless Thy word to young and old ; 

Fill us with a Saviour’s love; 

And when life’s short tale is told, 

May we dwell with Thee above.” 


June 4* 

The infinite love of God is forever evidenced in 
His suffering and self-sacrificing. 

But he was wounded for our transgressions, 
he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastise- 



TO START THE DAY 


87 


ment of our peace was upon Rim; and with Ms 
stripes we are healed.— Isaiah 53:5. 

I’VE FOUND A FRIEND 
“I’ve found a Friend; 0 such a Friend! 

He bled, He died to save me; 

And not alone the gift of life, 

But His own self He gave me. 

Naught that I have mine own I’ll call, 

I ’ll hold it for the Giver; 

My heart, my strength, my life, my all, 

Are His, and His for ever.” 


June 5♦ 

Those who know not God seem forlorn and help¬ 
less when sorrow and disaster come . 

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of 
trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. 

—Nahum 1:7. 


CAST THY BURDEN ON THE LORD 
“He sustains thee by His hand, 

He enables thee to stand; 

Those whom Jesus once hath loved 
From His grace are never moved.” 


June 6* 

We cannot follow Christ by a general resolve, 
but by daily cross bearing. 

And Jesus said to them all, If any man will 
come after me, let him deny himself, and take 
up his cross daily, and follow me.— Luke 9:23. 




,88 


TO START THE DAY 


/ NEED THEE EVERY HOUR 
“I need Thee every hour, 

Most Gracious Lord; 

No tender voice like Thine 
Can peace afford. 

I need Thee, Oh! I need Thee, 
Every hour I need Thee; 

O bless me now, my Saviour, 
I come to Thee.” 


June 7* 

God blesses the man who honours His day. “ A 
Sabbath well spent brings a week of content” 

If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, 
from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and 
call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, 
honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing 
thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, 
nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou 
delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause 
thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, 
and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy 
father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken 
it.—I saiah 58:13,14. 

O DAY OF REST AND GLADNESS 
11 0 day of rest and gladness, 

O day of joy and light, 

0 balm of care and sadness, 

Most beautiful, most bright; 

On thee the high and lowly, 

Through ages joined in tune, 

Sing Holy, Holy, Holy, 

To the great God Triune.” 



TO START THE DAY 


89 


June 8* 

A great educator once said: “Life is divided 
into two classes, (rivers and Getters ” 

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: 
but whosoever will lose his life, for my sake, 
the same shall save it.— Luke 9:24. 

/ GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE 
“Thy life was given for me, 

Thy blood, O Lord, was shed, 

That I might ransomed be, 

And quickened from the dead: 

Thy life was given for me; 

What have I given for Thee?” 


June 9. 

Strength and courage in divine service guaran¬ 
tee the personal presence of God . 

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and 
of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou 
dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee 
whithersoever thou goest.— Joshua 1: 9. 

JESUS, STILL LEAD ON 
“Jesus, still lead on, 

Till our rest be won; 

And, although the way be cheerless, 

We will follow, calm and fearless: 

Guide us by Thy hand 
To our Fatherland. ’ ’ 



90 


TO START THE DAY 


June 10* 

We should rally round God’s servants in their 
testing time . Human hearts ever cry to those 
they love, “ Come near me ” 

And Elijah, said unto all the people, Come 
near unto me. And all the people came near 
unto him.—1 Kings 18:30. 

DRAW NIGH, DRAW NIGH, EMMANUEL 
‘‘Draw nigh, 0 Jesse’s Rod, draw nigh, 

To free ns from the enemy; 

From hell’s abyss Thy people save, 

And give us victory o’er the grave. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to thee, 0 Israel. ’ 9 


June XU 

Bootless Christians are fruitless Christians. 

They on the rock are they, which, when they 
hear, receive the word with joy; and these have 
no root, which for a while believe, and in time 
of temptation fall away.— Luke 8:13. 

O FOR A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD 
“So shall my walk be close with God, 

Calm and serene my frame; 

So purer light shall mark the road 
That leads me to the Lamb.” 

% June \2. 

Diligence, enthusiasm, devotion, joy, patience 
and prayer are companions . 

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; 



TO START THE DAY 


91 


serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in 
tribulation ; continuing instant in prayer. 

—Romans 12:11,12. 

IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST I GLORY 
"Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, 

By the Cross are sanctified; 

Peace is there that knows no measure, 

Joys that through all time abide.’’ 


June 13* 

Only God’s complete armour , plus prayer, can 
stand the test of Satan’s wiles. 

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may 
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

—Ephesians 6:11. 

LEAD ON, O KING ETERNAL 
"Lead on, 0 King Eternal, 

The day of march has come; 

Henceforth in fields of conquest 
Thy tents shall be our home: 

Through days of preparation 
Thy grace has made us strong, 

And now, 0 King Eternal, 

We lift our battle-song.” 


June 14. 

Darkness causes no stumbling where there is 
the clear light of a good conscience. 

But the path of the just is as the shining 
light, that shineth more and more unto the per¬ 
fect day.—P roverbs 4:18. 



92 


TO START THE DAT 


WALK IN THE LIGHT 
*‘Walk in the light! and thine shall be 
Thy path, though thorny, bright, 

For God by grace shall dwell in thee, 

And God Himself is Light.’’ 

June 15* 

Filial obedience has its reward in promised 
longevity , and inner peace . 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for 
this is right. Honour thy father and mother; 
which is the first commandment with promise. 

—Ephesians 6:1, 2. 

ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY 
“ And through all His wondrous childhood 
He would honour and obey, 

Love and watch the lowly maiden 
In whose gentle arms He lay; 

Christian children all must be 
Mild, obedient, good as He. ,, 


June 16* 

A man of fearless integrity and courage caused 
a king and kingdom to honour his God . 

Then King Darius wrote . . . the God of 

Daniel is the living God, and stedfast forever, 
and his kingdom that which shall not be de¬ 
stroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the 
end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he work- 
eth signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, 
who hath delivered Daniel from the power of 
the lions.— Daniel 6: 25, 26, 27. 



TO STAKT THE DAY 


93 


DARB TO BB A DANIBL 
“ Standing by a purpose true, 
Heeding God's command, 
Honour them, the faithful few! 
All hail to Daniel's band! 

Dare to be a Daniel, 

Dare to stand alone! 

Dare to have a purpose firm! 
Dare to make it known!" 


June 17* 

As care of the physical heart sustains life, so 
the seat of our affection must he kept. 

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of 
it are the issues of life.—P roverbs 4:23. 

CALL JBHOVAH THY SALVATION 
11 Since, with pure and firm affection 
Thou on God hast set thy love, 

With the wings of His protection 
He will shield thee from above: 

Thou shalt call on Him in trouble, 

He will hearken, He will save; 

Here for grief reward thee double, 

Crown with life beyond the grave.” 


June 18♦ 

“ Thou God seest me ” is a searching truth. 
God’s ex-ray is never exhibited to the public. 

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on 
his countenance, or on the height of his stature; 
because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth 



94 


TO START THE DAY 


not as a man seeth; for man looketh on the out¬ 
ward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the 
heart.—1 Samuel 16:7. 

OUR BLEST REDEEMER 
“Spirit of purity and grace! 

Our weakness, pitying, see; 

0 make our hearts Thy dwelling-place, 

And worthier Thee.” 


June 19* 

Pure living gives vistas to God amid the clouds 
of every-day life. 

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall 
see God.— Matthew 5:8. 

JESUS, THESE EYES HAVE NEVER SEEN 
“Like some bright dream that comes unsought, 
When slumbers o’er me roll, 

Thine image ever fills my thought, 

And charms my ravished soul.” 


June 20. 

No one really knows us hut God. He knows 
not only our deeds but the thoughts which 
initiate them. 

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known 
me. Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine 
uprising. Thou understandest my thought 
afar off.— Psalm 139:1, 2. 



TO START THE DAY 


95 


I COULD NOT DO WITHOUT THBB 
“I could not do without Thee, 

I cannot stand alone, 

I have no strength or goodness, 

No wisdom of my own; 

But Thou, beloved Saviour, 

Art All in all to me, 

And perfect strength in weakness 
Is theirs who lean on thee.” 

3une 2U 

If we would follow the ancient adage “Know 
thyself ” we must be students of God’s Word . 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, 
and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing 
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, 
and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner 
of the thoughts, and intents of the heart. 

—Hebrews 4:12. 

THB SPIRIT BRBATHBS UPON THB WORD 
‘ ‘ The Spirit breathes upon the word, 

And brings the truth to sight; 

Precepts and promises afford 
A sanctifying light.” 

3une 22♦ 

Human prayer is a silent unknown strength in 
many a dark struggle with sin . How much 
more is divine intercession responsible for 
victory? 

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth 
what is the mind of the Spirit, because he 
maketh intercession for the saints according to 
the will of God.— Romans 8:27. 




96 


TO START THE DAY 


0 JESUS , THOU ART STANDING 
“O Jesus, Thou art pleading, 

In accents meek and low,— 

* I died for you, My children, 

And will ye treat Me so ? ’ 

0 Lord, with shame and sorrow 
We open now the door; 

Dear Saviour, enter, enter, 

And leave us nevermore ! 9 9 

June 23* 

The open confession of Jesus Christ is a testi¬ 
mony to others and a safeguard for self. 

And ye shall be hated of all men for my 
name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end 
shall be saved.— Matthew 10:22. 

NOW JUST A WORD FOR JESUS 
“Now just a word for Jesus; 

Your dearest Friend so true, 

Come, cheer our hearts and tell us 
What He has done for you. 

“Now just a word for Jesus— 

’Twill help us on our way; 

One little word for Jesus, 

0 speak, or sing, or pray . 9 9 


June 24* 

Enrollment on high seems vague and mysteri¬ 
ous , but entering a child’s name in college 
does not. 

And there shall in no wise enter into it any¬ 
thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh 




TO START THE DAY 


97 


abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which, 
are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 

—Revelation 21:27. 

WHEN THE ROLE IS CALLED UP YONDER 
“When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and 
time shall be no more, 

And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and 
fair, 

When the saved of earth shall gather over on 
the other shore, 

And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. 

* 1 When the roll is called up yonder, 

When the roll is called up yonder, 

When the roll is called up yonder, 

When the roll is called up yonder, 

I ’ll be there. ’ ’ 


June 25* 

Finding one lost sinner is not an insignificant 
service if that sinner he your own child . 

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in 
heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more 
than over ninety and nine just persons, which 
need no repentance.—L uke 15: 7. 

THE NINETY AND NINE 
“ * Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; 
Are they not enough for Thee ? ’ 

But the Shepherd made answer : 1 This of mine 
Has wandered away from me, 

And although the road be rough and steep, 

I go to the desert to find my sheep. ’ 99 




98 


TO START THE DAY 


June 26 ♦ 

Moon , the blind inventor of the new system of 
writing and reading for the blind, thanked 
God for the “ gift of blindness ” 

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in 
reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in 
distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am 
weak, then am I strong.—2 Corinthians 12:10. 

OUR BLEST REDEEMER 
“And every virtue we possess, 

And every victory won, 

And every thought of holiness, 

Are His alone.” 


3nne 27♦ 

This world with all its sorrow and pain lasts 
but for a time—then the Eternal City. 

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 
And God shall wipe away all tears from their 
eyes; and there shall he no more death, neither 
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any 
more pain: for the former things are passed 
away.— Revelation 21:1, 4. 

O MOTHER DEAR, JERUSALEM 
“O Mother dear, Jerusalem, 

When shall I come to thee? 

When shall my sorrows have an end ? 

Thy joys when shall I see? 

0 happy harbour of the saints! 

O sweet and pleasant soil! 

In thee no sorrow may be found, 

No grief, no care, no toil. ’ 9 



TO START THE DAY 


99 


June 28. 

A sincere prayer for penitence shows genuine¬ 
ness, and inspires confidence to overcome * 

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew 
a right spirit within me. Cast me not away 
from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit 
from me.— Psalm 51:10,11. 

MAJESTIC SWEETNESS 
“He saw me plunged in deep distress, 

He flew to my relief; 

For me He bore the shameful cross, 

And carried all my grief.” 


June 29. 

There is nothing in human experience that 
glorifies God more than a consistent life . 

Having yonr conversation honest among the 
Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you 
as evil-doers, they may by yonr good works, 
which they shall behold, glorify God in the day 
of visitation.—1 Peter 2:12. 

O FOR A HEART TO PRAISE MY GOD 
“A humble, lowly, contrite heart, 

Believing, true, and clean, 

Which neither life nor death can part 
From Him that dwells within.” 


June 30. 

The praying life cannot he an anxious life . 
Patience in prayer means a trustful soul . 

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by 



100 


TO START THE DAY 


prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let 
your requests be made known unto God. 

—Philippians 4:6. 

SPIRIT OF GOD 

“Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King? 
All, all Thine own, soul, heart, and strength, 
and mind; 

I see Thy cross—there teach my heart to cling; 

O let me seek Thee, and 0 let me find/ ’ 



JULY 


Juls X. 

The telescopic view of God’s greatness leads us 
to the microscopic detail of His love. 

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy 
fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou 
hast ordained; what is man that thou art mind¬ 
ful of him? and the son of man that thou visitest 
him?— Psalm 8:3, 4. 

THE SHADOWS OF THE EVENING HOURS 
4 ‘ Slowly the rays of daylight fade; 

So fade within our heart 

The hopes in earthly love and joy 

That one by one depart. 

Slowly the bright stars, one by one, 

Within the heavens shine:— 

Give us, O Lord, fresh hopes in heaven, 

And trust in things Divine.’’ 

3ul£ 2* 

The enemies of the soul are the unseen but fatal 
foes. Roosevelt said: “ The wild beasts of 
Africa were not so fatal as the insects of 
South America ” 

And fear not them which kill the body, but 
are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him 
which is able to destroy both soul and body in 
hell.—M atthew 10:28. 

101 


102 


TO START THE DAY 


AWAKE , MY SOUL 
4 ‘He saw me ruined in the fall, 

Yet loved me notwithstanding all, 
And saved me from my lost estate, 
His loving-kindness is so great. ’’ 


3* 

The brevity of life is noted only when it is near¬ 
ing its close, or has passed . 

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the 
morrow. For what is your life? It is even a 
vapour that appeareth for a little time, and 
then vanisheth away.— James 4:14. 

THE SANDS OF TIME ARE SINKING 
‘ ‘ The sands of time are sinking, 

The dawn of heaven breaks, 

The summer morn I Ve sighed for, 

The fair sweet morn awakes; 

Dark, dark hath been the midnight, 

The day-spring is at hand, 

And glory, glory dwelleth 
In Emanuel’s land.” 


3uls 4. 

"National strength, prosperity, honour, perma¬ 
nence depend upon the righteous character of 
the citizen. 

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a 
reproach to any people.— Proverbs 14:34. 



TO START THE DAY 


103 


MY COUNTRY , 'TIS OF THEE 
“My country, ’tis of thee, 

Sweet land of liberty, 

Of tnee I sing; 

Land where my fathers died, 

Land of the pilgrim’s pride, 

From every mountain side 
Let freedom ring. 

“Our fathers’ God, to Thee, 

Author of liberty, 

To Thee we sing; 

Long may our land be bright 
With freedom’s holy light; 

Protect us by Thy might, 

Great God, our King.” 

5* 

No storm can long disturb the life nor destroy 
the soul when Christ is present. 

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, 
O ye of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked 
the winds and the sea; and there was a great 
calm.— Matthew 8 : 26. 

* MASTER., THE TEMPEST IS RAGING 
(Chorus) 

* 1 The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, 
Peace, be still! 

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, 

Or demons, or men, or whatever it be, 

No water can swallow the ship where lies 
The Master of ocean and earth and skies; 
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will; 

Peace, be still! Peace, be still! 

They all shall sweetly obey Thy will; 

Peace, peace be still!” 



104 


TO START THE DAY 


3ui£ 6* 

The death of a Christian, like the death of the 
Master, is a convincing argument of divine 
life. 

And when the centurion, which stood over 
against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave 
up the ghost, he said, Truly, this man was the 
Son of God.— Mark 15:39. 

WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS 
“See, from His head, His hands, His feet, 
Sorrow and love flow mingled down: 

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, 

Or thorns compose so rich a crown ? 9 9 


3ul£ 7 * 

If you are angry say it over to yourself before 
you speak to another . Write your letter, if 
necessary, but do not mail it. 

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but griev¬ 
ous words stir up anger.— Proverbs 15:1. 

SCORN NOT THE SLIGHTEST WORD OR DEED 
“A whispered word may touch the heart, 

And call it back to life; 

A look of love bid sin depart, 

And still unholy strife . 9 9 


3ul£ S* 

A covenant of peace and safety is insured to 
those who turn from sin to God. 

And I will make with them a covenant of 
peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out 



TO START THE DAY 


105 


of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the 
wilderness, and sleep in the woods. 

—Ezekiel 34:25. 

SWEET PEACE, THE GIFT OF GOD'S LOVE 
“In Jesus for peace I abide, 

And as I keep close to His side, 

There’s nothing but peace doth betide, 
Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love.” 


3ul£ 9* 

When Christ is the door , souls go in to find 
shelter and out to find pasture, Salvation 
and nurture go together, 

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he 
shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and 
find pasture.—J ohn 10: 9. 

BEHOLD! A STRANGER'S AT THE DOOR 
“Behold! a Stranger’s at the door; 

He gently knocks, has knocked before; 

Has waited long, is waiting still; 

You treat no other friend so ill.” 


3ul£ 10. 

The valuable part of prohibition is that related 
to a man 9 s own life, A Scotch clergyman has 
well said: “ Prohibition must be inhibition if 
there is to be exhibiton.” 

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and 
whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 

—Proverbs 20:1. 




106 


TO START THE DAY 


YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION 
(Chorus.) 

“Ask the Saviour to help you, 
Comfort, strengthen and keep you; 
He is willing to aid you, 

He will carry you through. ’ 1 


3ul$ U* 

Paul was forgetting the good things behind him 
as he looked forward to the better things 
ahead! 

Brethren, I count not myself to have appre¬ 
hended : but this one thing I do, forgetting those 
things which are behind, and reaching forth 
unto those things which are before. 

—Philippians 3 : 13,14. 

WHEN THE DAY OF TOIL IS DONE 
“When for vanished days we yearn, 

Days that never can return, 

Teach us in Thy love to learn 
Love for evermore/ ’ 


3ul£ 12. 

God could accomplish His tasks by supernat¬ 
ural means , but He chose to use men and 
women to do His work. 

And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture,, are 
men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God. 

—Ezekiel 34:31. 



TO START THE DAY 


107 


JESUS, MY LORD, MY GOD 
“Jesus, what didst Thou find in me 
That Thou hast dealt so lovingly ? 

How great tne joy that Thou hast brought, 
So far exceeding hope or thought! 

Jesus, my Lord, I Thee adore; 

0 make me love Thee more and more.” 


5ui£ 13* 

Jesus was tempted by appetite, by ambition 
and by possession. 

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, 
Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship 
the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou 
serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, 
angels came and ministered unto him. 

—Matthew 4:10,11. 

MY DEAR REDEEMER AND MY LORD 
“Cold mountains and the midnight air 
Witnessed the fervour of Thy prayer; 

The desert Thy temptations knew, 

Thy conflict and Thy victory too.” 


3tti2 14* 

Love to God means satisfactory human adjust¬ 
ment. Life develops aright for the obedient. 

And we know that all things work together 
for good to them that love God, to them who are 
the called according to his purpose. 

—Romans 8:28. 



108 


TO STAET THE DAY 


IN HEAVENLY LOVE ABIDING 
“In heavenly love abiding, 

No change my heart shall fear, 
And safe is such confiding, 

For nothing changes here: 

The storm may roar without me, 
My heart may low be laid, 

But God is round about me, 
And can I be dismayed ? ’ ’ 


3ul$ 15* 

The revision reads: “ Ye shall win your lives” 
Quiet, confident trust in God wins life here 
and now . 

For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One 
of Israel: In returning and rest shall ye be 
saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be 
your strength: and ye would not. 

—Isaiah 30:15. 

DEAR LORD AND FATHER OF MANKIND 
“Drop Thy still dews of quietness, 

Till all our strivings cease: 

Take from our souls the strain and stress, 

And let our ordered lives confess 
The beauty of Thy peace.’’ 


Julp 16* 

When men see Jesus as the Lamb of God (His 
sacrifice for sin) they will follow Him. 

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he 
saith, Behold, the Lamb of God! And the two 



TO START THE DAY 


109 


disciples heard him speak, and they followed 
Jesus.— John 1:36-37. 

BEHOLD, THE MASTER PASSETH BY, 
“That ‘Follow Me* his faithful ear 
Seemed every day afresh to hear: 

Its echoes stirred his spirit still, 

And fired his hope, and nerved his wilL ,, 


Jul£ 17* 

Over one of the great university halls hangs this 
motto: “ The truth shall make you free” 
Jesus said: “I am the truth” 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth 
shall make you free.— John 8: 32. 

THOU ART THE WAY 
“Thou art the Truth: Thy word alone 
True wisdom can impart; 

Thou only canst inform the mind, 

And purify the heart.” 

I 


?Ul£ 18. 

i Submission to God’s will is sure to end in joy . 

And he went a little farther, and fell on his 
face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be 
possible, let this cup pass from me: neverthe¬ 
less, not as I will, but as thou wilt. 

—Matthew 26:39. 



110 


TO START THE DAY 


MY JESUS, AS THOU WILT! 

“My Jesus, as Thou wilt! 

Though seen through many a tear, 

Let not my star of hope 
Grow dim or disappear. 

Since Thou on earth hast wept, 

And sorrowed oft alone, 

If I must weep with Thee, 

My Lord, Thy will be done.” 

3\\ly 19. 

To save the suffering is to serve the Christ . 

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no 
meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink: 
I was a stranger and ye took me not in: naked, 
and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and 
ye visited me not. Inasmuch as ye did it not to 
one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 

—Matthew 25: 42, 43, 45. 

MASTER, NO OFFERING 
“Some word of hope, for hearts burdened with 
fears, 

Some balm of peace for eyes blinded with tears, 
Some dews of mercy shed, some wayward foot¬ 
steps led, 

Dear Lord, to Thee.” 

N 5ulp 20. 

The element in Christian character most needed 
in a day of fluctuation is steadfastness . 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith 
Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled 
again with the yoke of bondage. 

—Galatians 5:1. 



TO START THE DAY 


111 


STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS 
“ Stand up, stand up for Jesus, 

Ye soldiers of the cross; 

Lift high His royal banner, 

It must not suffer loss: 

From victory unto victory 
His army He shall lead, 

Till every foe is vanquished, 

And Christ is Lord indeed.’’ 


3uls 21* 

A world-cry is the challenge of Christ to His 
Church. 

Teaching them to observe all things whatso¬ 
ever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with 
you alway, even unto the end of the world. 

—Matthew 28:20. 

FROM GREENLAND’S ICY MOUNTAINS 
‘ 1 Can we, whose souls are lighted 
With wisdom from on high, 

Can we to men benighted 
The lamp of life deny?” 


5ul£ 22* 

We can never run away from God’s command . 
Obedience leads into strength, confidence and 
blessing. 

Arise, go into Nineveh, that great city, and 
preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. 
So Jonah arose and went unto Nineveh, accord¬ 
ing to the word of the Lord.— Jonah 3:2, 3. 




112 


TO START THE DAY 


MY JESUS, AS THOU WILT 
“My Jesus, as Thou wilt! 

0 may Thy will be mine, 

Into Thy hand of love 
I would my all resign. 

Through sorrow, or through joy, 
Conduct me as Thine own; 

And help me still to say, 

My Lord, Thy will be done.” 


3ul£ 23* 

The old Scotchman dying said: “It is not the 
valley of death hut only the valley or the 
shadow of death ” 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the 
shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou 
art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort 
me.— Psalm 23:4. 

PEACE, PERFECT PEACE 
‘ ‘Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and 
ours ? 

Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers. 

“It is enough: earth's struggles soon shall cease, 
And Jesus call us to heaven’s perfect peace.” 


Juls 24* 

God reveals His greatness in little things and 
shows His honour toward men in working 
through ordinary beings. 

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the 
world to confound the wise; and God hath 




TO START THE DAY 


113 


chosen the weak things of the world to confound 
the things which are mighty; and base things of 
the world, and things which are despised, hath 
God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to 
bring to nought things that are: that no flesh 
should glory in his presence. 

—1 Corinthians 1:27, 28, 29. 

SAVIOUR, THY DYING LOVE 
1 ‘ Give me a faithful heart, 

Guided by Thee, 

That each departing day 
Henceforth may see 
Some work of love begun, 

Some deed of kindness done, 

Some wanderer sought and won, 
Something for Thee. ’ 7 


July 25* 

The grace of God is not a quality to be admired 
but a power to be exercised . 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and 
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not 
of works, lest any man should boast. 

—Ephesians 2:8, 9. 

SAVED BY GRACE 
4 ‘Some day my earthly house will fall, 

I cannot tell how soon Twill be, 

But this I know—my All in all 
Has now a place in Heav’n for me. 

“And I shall see Him face to face, 

And tell the story saved by grace.” 




114 


TO START THE DAY 


5ill£ 26. 

God’s law is “ Use or lose ” Idleness means 
paralysis. 

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good 
and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful 
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over 
many things: enter thou into the joy of thy 
lord.— Matthew 25:21. 

O GOD, WHO WORKBST HITHERTO 
“O God, who workest hitherto, 

Working in all we see, 

Fain would we be, and bear, and do, 

As best it pleaseth Thee . 9 9 


Snip 27* 

To "bear false accusations patiently shows the 
Christ spirit, and establishes confidence. 

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, 
and persecute you, and shall say all manner 
of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Re¬ 
joice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your 
reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the 
prophets which were before you. 

—Matthew 5:11,12. 

O HOLY SAVIOUR, FRIEND UNSEEN 
“What though the world deceitful prove, 

And earthly friends and joys remove, 

With patient, uncomplaining love 
Still would I cling to Thee.” 




TO START THE DAY 


115 


5ul£ 28* 

The Bible is the best daily guide the soul has 
ever known . 

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of 
my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, 
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and 
it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

—Isaiah 55:11. 

THE ANVIL 

“I stood one eve beside a blacksmith’s door 
And heard the anvil ring the vesper’s chime; 
Then looking in, I saw upon the floor, 

Old hammers worn with beating years of time. 

< 4 < H°w many anvils have you had, ’ said I, 

* To wear and batter all the hammers so?’ 

‘ J ust one ?’ he said: then said witii twinkling eye, 

* The anvil wears the hammers out, you know. ’ 

“And so I thought the anvil of God’s word 
For ages sceptic blows have beat upon, 

And though the noise of falling blows was 
heard, 

The anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone.” 


3ulB 29. 

Great opportunities compel great responsibili¬ 
ties. We should pray to be as big as our 
problems. 

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at 
this time, then shall there enlargement and de¬ 
liverance arise to the Jews from another place; 





116 


TO START THE DAY 


but thou and thy father's house shall be de¬ 
stroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art 
come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 

—Esther 4:14. 

WB ARB LIVING, WB ARB DWELLING 
“We are living, we are dwelling, 

In a grand and awful time, 

In an age on ages telling; 

To be living is sublime. 

Hark, the waking up of nations, 

Gog and Magog to the fray; 

Hark, what soundeth ? is creation 
Groaning for its latter day?” 


3ul£ 30* 

Peace is not an outward condition but an in¬ 
ward state. Divine peace is not a temporary 
influence , but a permanent power . 

And the peace of God which passeth all un¬ 
derstanding shall keep your hearts and minds 
through Christ Jesus.— Philippians 4:7. 

THB SHADOWS OF THB EVENING HOURS 
“Let peace, 0 Lord, Thy peace, 0 God, 

Upon our souls descend; 

From midnight fears and perils, Thou 
Our trembling hearts defend: 

Give us a respite from our toil, 

Calm and subdue our woes; 

Through the long day we labour, Lord, 

O give us now repose.” 




TO START THE DAY 


117 


5ul£ 31* 

Sin cannot control when grace is allowed to 
work. 

For sin shall not have dominion over you: 
for ye are not under the law, hut under grace. 

—Romans 6:14. 

AWAKE, MY SOUL 
“ Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve, 

And press with vigour on; 

A heavenly race demands thy zeal, 

And an immortal crown, 

And an immortal crown.” 



AUGUST 


Bugust l♦ 

Continued wandering from God affects the in - 
clination and will. Fatal is the state of mind 
indifferent to God’s very presence. 

Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou 
knowest not, and nations that knew not thee 
shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God 
and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath 
glorified thee.— Isaiah 55:5. 

TO-DAY THE SAVIOUR CALLS 
i ‘ The Spirit calls to-day: 

Yield to His power; 

O grieve Him not away, 

’Tis mercy’s hour.” 


Buaust 2* 

The soul aroused from a life of sin is literally 
born anew. 

And you hath he quickened who were dead in 
trespasses and sin.— Ephesians 2:1. 

I HEAR THY WELCOME VOICE 
“’Tis Jesus who confirms 
The blessed work within, 

By adding grace to welcomed grace, 

Where reigned the power of sin.” 

118 


TO START THE DAY 


119 


Biigust 3* 

Repentance was the great theme of John the 
Baptist and of Christ. 

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that 
your sins may be blotted out, when the times of 
refreshing shall come from the presence of the 
Lord.— Acts 3:19. 

RESCUE THE PERISHING 
“ Though they are slighting Him, still He is 
waiting, 

Waiting the penitent child to receive: 

Plead with them earnestly, plead with them 
gently; 

He will forgive if they only believe.” 


BuGUSt 4* 

The missionaries in foreign lands are learning 
and teaching the unity of faith in Christ. 

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and 
of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a 
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of 
the fulness of Christ.— Ephesians 4:13. 

THE CHURCH’S ONE FOUNDATION 
6 1 Elect from every nation, 

Yet one o’er all the earth, 

Her charter of salvation 
One Lord, one faith, one birth; 

One holy Name she blesses, 

Partakes one holy food, 

And to one hope she presses, 

With every grace endued.” 




120 


TO START THE DAY 


BUGUSt 5* 

Strength in time of temptation is assured by the 
consciousness of Christ’s sympathy and pres¬ 
ence . 

For in that he himself hath suffered being 
tempted, he is able to succour them that are 
tempted.— Hebrews 2:18. 

FATHER, LEAD ME DAY BY DAY 
“When I’m tempted to do wrong 
Make me steadfast, wise and strong; 

And when all alone I stand, 

Shield me with Thy mighty hand.” 


Bucjust 6* 

The love and loyalty of Christians one to an¬ 
other will attract the attention and win the 
approval of the world. 

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed 
your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s 
feet. For I have given you an example, that ye 
should do as I have done to you. 

—John 13:14,15. 

blest be the tie that binds 

“Blest be the tie that binds 
Our hearts in Christian love: 

The fellowship of kindred minds 
Is like to that above.” 



TO START THE DAY 


121 


Bucjust 7 . 

The subtlety of a bitter thought may sour the 
life and lead to endless worry and trouble . 

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the 
grace of God; lest any root of bitterness spring¬ 
ing up trouble you, and thereby many be de¬ 
filed.— Hebrews 12:15. 

EVEN MB 

*‘ Have I long in sin been sleeping, 

Long been slighting, grieving Thee ? 

Has the world my heart been keeping ? 

0 forgive and rescue me. * ’ 


BUGUSt 8* 

The longing soul is promised satisfaction. The 
craving for Christ means the infilling of his 
life. 

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst 
after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 

—Matthew 5:6 

I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY 
“I love to tell the story 
Of unseen things above, 

Of Jesus and His glory, 

Of Jesus and His love. 

I love to tell the story, 

Because I know it’s true; 

It satisfies my longings 
As nothing else could do.” 



122 


TO START THE DAY 


BllGUSt 9. 

A willingness to go where and do whatever God 
suggests never leads any one astray. 

And they answered Joshua saying, All that 
thou commandest us we will do, and whitherso¬ 
ever thou sendest us, we will go.— Joshua 1:16. 

I’LL, GO WHERE YOU WANT ME TO GO 
“I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, 
Over mountain, or plain, or sea; 

I ’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord, 
I’ll be what you want me to be.” 


BuGUSt 10. 

Loyalty to God, nation and home are ever re¬ 
warded. Ruth is one of the most beautiful 
characters of all history . 

And Ruth said: Intreat me not to leave thee, 
or to return from following after thee: for 
whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou 
lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my 
people, and thy God my God.— Ruth 1:16. 

O THE BITTER SHAME AND SORROW 
“Higher than the highest heavens, 

Deeper than the deepest sea, 

Lord, Thy love at last hath conquered; 
Grant me now my supplication, 

‘None of self, and all of Thee.’ ” 

BuGUSt U. 

Christ was made perfect through suffering. 
But the God of all grace, who hath called us 



TO START THE DAY 


123 


unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after 
that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, 
stablish, strengthen, settle you.— 1 Peter 5:10. 

IMMORTAL LOVE 
“The healing of His seamless dress 
Is by our beds of pain; 

We touch Him in life’s throng and press, 
And we are whole again. ’ ’ 


Bugust 12. 

Out of the very clouds of darkness God’s light 
and voice can speak , and direct our lives . 

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud 
overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of 
the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, 
in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 

—Matthew 17:5. 

COME TO THE LIGHT 
( Chorus ) 

“Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee; 
Sweetly the light hath dawned upon me. 

Once I was blind, but now I can see! 

The Light of the world is Jesus .’ 9 


Buaust 13. 

A place of prayer in every home and an altar 
in every life ensure God’s open reward . 

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy 
closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray 
to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Fa- 



124 


TO START THE DAY 


ther which seeth in secret shall reward thee 
openly.— Matthew 6:6. 

PRAYER IS THE SOU US SINCERE DESIRE 
“Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice 
Returning from his ways, 

While angels in their songs rejoice, 

And cry, ‘Behold, he prays!’ ” 


Bugust 14* 

The sincere call of man’s need meets an imme¬ 
diate answer in the present help of the Lord . 

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon 
him, to all that call upon him in truth. 

—Psalm 145:18. 


WALK IN THE LIGHT 
“Walk in the light: and thou shalt find 
Thy heart made truly His 
Who dwells in cloudless light enshrined, 
In whom no darkness is.” 


Bugust 15* 

The heart governs the mind and hand. We fol¬ 
low our affections. 

Set your affection on things above, not on 
things on the earth.— Colossians 3:2. 

HARK! HARK, MY SOUL! 

“Far, far away, like bells at evening pealing, 

The voice of Jesus sounds o’er land and sea; 

And laden souls, by thousands meekly stealing, 
Kind Shepherd, turn their weary steps to Thee.” 



TO START THE DAY 


125 


EU0USt 16, 

God is present just when and where we need 

Him. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present 
help in trouble.— Psalm 46:1. 

JESUS, THY NAME I LOVE 
< 1 When unto Thee I flee, 

Thou wilt my Refuge be, 

Jesus, my Lord: 

What need I now to fear, 

What earthly grief or care, 

Since Thou art ever near? 

Jesus, my Lord.” 


Hu^ust 17* 

This Hebrew word here translated, “Be still” 
means “ Take a slack in the rope” Tension 
of soul means self-dependence . God says, 
Let go, and Trust Me. 

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be 
exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in 
the earth.— Psalm 46:10. 

SINCE MY FATHERS ARMS SUSTAIN ME 
1 ‘ To His own thy Saviour giveth 
Daily strength; 

To each troubled soul that liveth 
Peace at length: 

Weakest lambs have largest sharing 
Of this tender Shepherd’s caring; 

Ask Him not, then—when or how— 

Only bow.” 



126 


TO START THE DAY 


Hugust 18. 

The disciple’s duty is to feed hungry souls with 
God’s food, not to send them away. 

And when the day began to wear away, then 
came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the 
multitude away, that they may go into the 
towns and country round about, and lodge, and 
get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. 
But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. 

—Luke 9:12, 13. 

/ LOVE TO TELL THE STORY 
‘ ‘ I love to tell the story; 

For those who know it best 
Seem hungering and thirsting 
To hear it, like the rest. 

And when, in scenes of glory, 

I sing the new, new song, 

’Twill be the old, old story, 

That I have loved so long.” 

HUGUSt 19* 

Confidence is shown in time of trial, not when 
all goes well. 

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he 
hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 

—Job 23:10. 

IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL 
‘ 1 If with sore affliction 
Thou in love chastise, 

Pour Thy benediction 
On the sacrifice; 

Then, upon Thine altar 
Freely offered up, 

Though the flesh may falter, 

Faith shall drink the cup.” 



TO START THE DAY 


127 


Hugust 20. 

The standard of life and character should be 
higher for the Christian than for any one 
else in the world . 

And the very God of peace sanctify you 
wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and 
soul and body be preserved blameless unto the 
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

—1 Thessalonians 5:23. 

HOLY , HOLY, HOLY! 

“Holy, Holy, Holy! Though the darkness hide 
Thee, 

Tho’ the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not 
see, 

Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee 
Perfect in power, in love, and purity. ’’ 

Hu^ust 2L 

The control of the tongue is greater than superb 
rhetoric or impassioned eloquence . 

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue 
keepeth his soul from troubles. 

—Proverbs 21:23. 

LORD, SPEAK TO ME 
“O teach me, Lord, that I may teach 
The precious things Thou dost impart; 

And wing my words, that they may reach 
The hidden depths of many a heart.” 

Hujust 22* 

We are never strong when we feel our strength, 
but when we know our weakness . 

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient 




128 


TO STAET THE DAY 


for thee: for my strength is made perfect in 
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather 
glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ 
may rest upon me.— 2 Corinthians 12:9. 

BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS 
“Upon the cross of Jesus, 

Mine eye at times can see 
The very dying form of One 
Who suffered there for me: 

And from my stricken heart with tears 
Two wonders I confess,— 

The wonders of redeeming love 
And my own worthlessness. ’ ’ 


BUflUSt 23. 

Living complacently amid evil conditions soon 
dulls the sensibilities to wrong . 

But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants 
of the land from before you; then it shall come 
to pass, that those which ye let remain of them 
shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your 
sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye 
dwell.— Numbers 33:55. 

ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS. 

“At the sign of triumph 
Satan*s host doth flee; 

On then, Christian soldiers, 

On to victory! 

Hell’s foundations quiver 
At the shout of praise; 

Brothers, lift your voices, 

Loud your anthems raise!” 



TO START THE DAY 


129 


BU0USt 24* 

The abundant life is Christ’s ideal for all who 
follow Him. The good and the better are 
enemies of the best. 

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to 
kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might 
have life, and that they might have it more 
abundantly.— John 10:10. 

JESUS, I UVB TO THEE 
“ Living or dying, Lord, 

I ask but to be Thine; 

My life in Thee, Thy life in me, 

Makes heaven forever mine. ’’ 

Huoust 25♦ 

How little we know the future. “ The present 
is the past of our future 

Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou 
knowest not what a day may bring forth. 

—Proverbs 27:1. 

PEACE ., PERFECT PEACE 
“Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? 
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.” 

BUGUSt 26* 

Confident prayer gives assurance . Christ 
granted the petitions of those who had cour¬ 
age. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne 
of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find 
grace to help in time of need. 

—Hebrews 4:16. 




130 


TO START THE DAY 


PRAYER IS THE SOU US SINCERE DESIRE 
1 ‘ O Thou by whom w© come to God, 

Th© Life, the Truth, the Way, 

The path of prayer Thyself hast trod; 
Lord, teach us how to pray. ’ ’ 


Bugust 27 * 

The soul’s vision is the all important view. 

While we look not at the things which are 
seen, but at the things which are not seen: for 
the things which are seen are temporal; but the 
things which are not seen are eternal. 

—2 Corinthians 4:18. 

JESUS , THESE EYES HAVE NEVER SEEN 
“I see Thee not, I hear Thee not, 

Yet art Thou oft with me; 

And earth hath ne’er so dear a spot 
As where I meet with Thee.” 


Buflust 28 * 

Just as the sun is the source of all light and 
warmth , Christ is the source of all our light 
and love. 

I am the light of the world: he that followeth 
me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have 
the light of life.—J ohn 8:12. 

LORD OF ALL BEING 

“Lord of all being; throned afar, 

Thy glory flames from sun and star; 
Centre and soul of every sphere, 

Yet to each loving heart how near!” 



TO START THE DAY 


131 


Bugust 29. 

Nothing compares in value with a godlike in- 
herhance. Character is the best legacy to 
leave a child . 

And I will give them one heart, and one way, 
that they may fear me forever, for the good of 
them, and of their children after them. 

—Jeremiah 32:39. 

ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY 
4 ‘For He is our childhood’s Pattern, 

Day by day like us He grew, 

He was little, weak and helpless, 

Tears and smiles like us He knew: 

And He feeleth for our sadness, 

And He shareth in our gladness .’ 9 


Bugust 30. 

He who has no time for a child’s companionship 
and friendship will find it difficult to under¬ 
stand Christ. 

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and 
forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such 
is the kingdom of heaven.— Matthew 19:14. 

AROUND THE THRONE OF GOD IN HEAVEN 
“Around the throne of God in heaven 
Thousands of children stand, 

Children whose sins are all forgiven, 

A holy, happy band.” 



132 


TO START THE DAY 


Bugust 3U 

Shepherds tell us that the only sheep who will 
follow a strange voice are the sick sheep . 

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep 
hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by 
name, and leadeth them out.—J ohn 10:3. 

SAVIOUR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US 
“We are Thine; do Thou befriend us, 

Be the Guardian of our way; 

Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, 

Seek us when we go astray: 

Blessed Jesus, 

Hear Thy children when they pray.’* 



SEPTEMBER 


September h 

Not what we have hut what we are able to give 
makes life happy and useful. 

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, 
yet making many rich; as having nothing, and 
yet possessing all things.— 2 Corinthians 6:10. 

THE LIGHT OP GOD IS PALLING 
“The light of God is falling 
Upon life’s common way; 

The Master’s voice still calling, 
t Come, walk with Me to-day. ’ 

No duty can seem lowly, 

To him who lives with Thee, 

And all of life grows holy, 

O Christ of Galilee.” 


September 2♦ 

Long life is a joy if a man’s life has been pure 
and upright . It also is the result of such 
life. 

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart 
keep my commandments.— Proverbs 3 : 1, 2. 

133 


134 


TO START THE DAY 


FOR ALL THE SAINTS 

“Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their 
Might; 

Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought 
fight; 

Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.” 


September 3* 

An infinite God defines patience for us. Our 
own natures are impatient and restless. 

Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, 
that one day is with the Lord as a thousand 
years, and a thousand years as one day. The 
Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as 
some men count slackness.—2 Peter 3:8, 9. 

GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY 
“God moves in a mysterious way 
His wonders to perform; 

He plants His footsteps in the sea, 

And rides upon the storm. 

“His purposes will ripen fast, 

Unfolding every hour; 

The bud may have a bitter taste, 

But sweet will be the flower. ’’ 


September 4* 

Short-sightedness and selfish desire are the fore - 
runners of wasted life and ruin. 

And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the 
plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every¬ 
where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and 
Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like 



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135 


tlie land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 
Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; 
and Lot journeyed east: and they separated 
themselves the one from the other. 

—Genesis 13:10,11. 

TAKE MB, O MY FATHER, TAKE ME 
Take me, 0 my Father, take me; 

Take me, save me, through Thy Son; 

That which Thou wouldst have me, make me, 
Let Thy will in me be done. 

Long from Thee my footsteps straying, 

Thorny proved the way I trod; 

Weary come I now, and praying, 

Take me to Thy love, my God. ’’ 

September 5* 

The source of spiritual supply must be within 
the soul. Perfect plumbing cannot substi¬ 
tute for a living spring. 

Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst 
again: but whosoever shall drink of the 
water that I shall give him shall never thirst; 
but the water that I shall give him shall be in 
him a well of water springing up into everlast¬ 
ing life.— John 4 : 13,14. 

1 HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY 
“I heard the voice of Jesus say, 

‘ Come unto Me and rest; 

Lay down, thou weary one, lay down 
Thy head upon My breast.’ 

I came to Jesus as I was, 

Weary and worn and sad, 

I found in Him a resting-place, 

And He has made me glad.” 



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September 6. 

Christianity pays taxes as well as pew rent . 
A church offering does not make the payment 
of our honest debts less necessary . 

Ajid Jesus answering said unto them, Render 
to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to 
God the things that are God’s.— Mark 12 :17. 

ON OUR WAY REJOICING 
“If with honest-hearted 
Love for God and man, 

Day by day Thou find us 
Doing all we can, 

Thou who giv’st the seed-time 
Wilt give large increase, 

Crown the head with blessings, 

Pill the heart with peace.” 


September 7* 

Jesus Christ calls business men now to follow 
Him. What if Matthew had stuck to his tax¬ 
gathering? 

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he 
saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the re¬ 
ceipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow 
me. And he arose and followed him. 

—Matthew 9: 9. 

LORD, SPEAK TO ME 
“0 use me, Lord, use even me, 

Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where; 
Until Thy blessed face I see, 

Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.” 



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137 


September 8* 

A small rifle-hall can destroy a dirigiblej an un¬ 
seen flaw may cause an immense bridge to 
crash . 

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and 
yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 

—James 2:10. 

LIKE A RIVER GLORIOUS 
‘‘Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, 
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand; 

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care, 

Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.” 


September 9. 

There is nothing in life comparable with salva¬ 
tion and the peaceful heart which goes with 
it. 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto 
treasure hid in a field; the which when a man 
hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth 
and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that 
field.— Matthew 13:44. 

I AM COMING TO THE CROSS 
“Here I give my all to Thee,— 

Friends and time and earthly store; 

Soul and body Thine to be, 

Wholly Thine, for evermore .’ 9 



138 


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September 10* 

dinners attract Christ more than saints. Life 
to Him means discovering human need. 

When Jesus heard it, he said unto them, They 
that are whole have no need of the physician, 
but they that are sick: I came not to call the 
righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

—Mark 2 : 17. 

TELL ME THE OLD, OLD STORY 
“Tell me the old, old story 
Of unseen things above, 

Of Jesus and His glory, 

Of Jesus and His love: 

Tell me the story simply, 

As to a little child, 

For I am weak and weary, 

And helpless and defiled.” 


September It* 

The call of Christ must be answered immedi¬ 
ately. Mark’s great word of power is “ Im ¬ 
mediately.” 

And straightway he called them: and they 
left their father Zebedee in the ship with the 
hired servants, and went after him. 

—Mark 1:20. 

GOD CALLING YET! 

“God calling yet! shall I not hear? 

Earth’s pleasures shall I still hold dear? 

Shall life *s swift passing years all fly, 

And still my soul in slumbers lie?” 



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139 


September 12* 

There is no sorrow nor suffering which cannot 
he home if we know the presence of Christ, 
the Man of Sorrows. 

Wherefore let them that suffer according to 
the will of God commit the keeping of their 
souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful 
Creator.—1 Peteii 4:19. 

COMB, YB DISCONSOLATE 
“Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish, 
Come to the mercy-seat, fervently kneel: 

Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell 
your anguish; 

Earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal. ,, 

September 13* 

Mankind can never he saved from sin by a hu¬ 
man priest or mediator, hut only through 
Jesus Christ . 

For there is one God and one mediator be¬ 
tween God and men, the man Christ J esus. 

—1 Timothy 2:5. 

/ AM PRAYING FOR YOU 
“I have a Saviour, He’s pleading in glory, 

A dear, loving Saviour, tho’ earth-friends be few; 
And now He is watching in tenderness o’er me, 
And oh, that my Saviour were your Saviour too!” 

September 14* 

Childhood is the age of divine teaching. 
Nurses cannot suhstitute for mothers. 

And the child grew, and waxed strong in 



140 


TO START THE DAY 


spirit, filled with, wisdom: and the grace of God 
was upon him.—L uke 2:40. 

I THINK WHEN I READ 
“I think when I read that sweet story of old, 

When Jesus was here among men, 

How He called little children as lambs to His 
fold, 

I should like to have been with them then. 1 

“1 long for the joy of that glorious time, 

The sweetest and brightest and best, 

When the dear little children of every clime 
Shall crowd to His arms and be blest .’’ 


September 15. 

If we can touch Christ personally amid the 
throng of life’s duties our lives will be clean . 

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself 
that virtue had gone out of him, turned him 
about in the press, and said, Who touched my 
clothes?— Mark 5:30. 

THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT 
“She only touched the hem of His garment 
. As to His side she stole, 

Amid the crowd that gathered around Him, 

And straightway she was whole.” 


September 16. 

There can be no stumbling or falling in the 
well-lit path of a Bible Christian. 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light 
unto my path.— Psalm 119:105. 



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141 


WALK IN THE LIGHT 
“ Walk in the light: so shalt thou know 
That fellowship of love 
His spirit only can bestow, 

Who reigns in light above / 9 


September 17♦ 

All true Christians are a part of the great spir¬ 
itual temple which is being built by the Di¬ 
vine Architect. 

And are built upon the foundation of the 
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself be¬ 
ing the chief corner-stone; in whom all the 
building fitly framed together groweth unto an 
holy temple in the Lord.— Ephesians 2:20-21. 

THE CHURCH'S ONE FOUNDATION 
“The Church’s one foundation 
Is Jesus Christ her Lord; 

She is His new creation 
By water and the word: 

From heaven He came and sought her 
To be His holy Bride; 

With His own blood He bought her, 

And for her life He died. ’ ’ 


September 18* 

A forgiven life has a sense of divine gratitude 
and is merciful . 

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, 
whose sin is covered.— Psalm 32:1. 




142 


TO START THE DAY 


EVEN MB 

“Love of God, so pure and changeless, 
Blood of God, so rich and free, 

Grace of God, so strong and boundless, 
Magnify them all in me.” 


September 19* 

Physical limitation or infirmity cannot control 
a righteous life where God has entered in. 

The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the 
Lord raiseth them that are bowed dowm: the 
Lord loveth the righteous. —Psalm 146: 8. 

MORE LOVE TO THEE 
“More love to Thee, 0 Christ, 

More love to Thee! 

Hear Thou the prayer I make 
On bended knee; 

This is my earnest plea; 

More love, 0 Christ, to Thee, 

More love to Thee!” 


September 20. 

Christian friends walk and work together and 
are conscious of the presence of Christ with 
them too. 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the 
light, we have fellowship one with another, and 
the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us 
from all sin. — 1 John 1 : 7. 



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143 


WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS 
Have we trials and temptations ? 

Is there trouble anywhere? 

We should never be discouraged: 
Take it to the Lord in prayer! 

Can we find a friend so faithful, 
Who will all our sorrows share ? 
Jesus knows our every weakness— 
Take it to the Lord in prayer!” 


September 21 ♦ 

Obedience leads to the highest reward in gain¬ 
ing character, and gives the assurance of 
entrance into eternal life. 

Blessed are they that do his commandments, 
that they may have right to the tree of life, and 
may enter in through the gates, into the city. 

—Revelation 22:14. 

TRUST AND OBEY 

* * Trust and obey, for there’s no other way 
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” 


September 22, 

The responsibility of the lost cannot be ours if 
we do our full part to warn and save. 

Yet if thou warn the wicked and he turn not 
from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, 
he shall die in his iniquity; hut thou hast de¬ 
livered thy soul.— Ezekiel 3 : 19. 





144 


TO START THE DAY 


MUST I GO, AND EMPTY HANDED? 

( Chorus ) 

“Must I go and empty handed, 

Must I meet my Saviour so ? 

Not one soul with which to greet Him, 
Must I empty handed go?” 


September 23♦ 

The soul’s cry for vision results not only in 
clear sight but in greater light . 

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold won¬ 
drous things out of thy law.— Psalm 119:18. 

WE WOULD SEE JESUS 
“We would see Jesus: this is all we’re needing; 
Strength, joy and willingness come with the sight, 
We would see Jesus, dying, risen, pleading; 

Then welcome day, and farewell mortal night.” 

September 24* 

The promises of God must never be accepted 
without the definite personal effort to keep 
our own lives pure . 

Having therefore these promises, dearly be¬ 
loved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthi¬ 
ness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness 
in the fear of God.—2 Corinthians 7 : 1. 

MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS 
“His oath, His covenant, His blood 
Support me in the sinking flood; 

When all around my soul gives way, 

He then is all my Hope and Stay. 

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; 

All other ground is sinking sand.” 



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145 


September 25♦ 

Deep grief sends men to their knees and to God . 

And the king was much moved, and went up 
to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as 
he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my 
son, my son Absalom! would God I had died 
for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! 

—2 Samuel 18:33. 

COMB , YB DISCONSOLATB 
“Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish, 

Come to the mercy-seat, fervently kneel: 

Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your 
anguish; 

Earth hath no sorrows that heaven cannot heal.” 


September 26. 

The inheritance of the far vision of God’s saints 
belongs to those who abide in Christ . 

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by 
faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in 
love, may be able to comprehend with all saints 
what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and 
height; and to know the love of Christ, which 
passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with 
all the fullness of God. 

—Ephesians 3:17,18, 19. 

FOR ALL THB SAINTS 
“0 blest communion, fellowship Divine! 

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; 

Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.” 




146 


TO START THE DAY 


September 27♦ 

This is perhaps the most generally used of all 
benedictions: Grace, love and fellowship 
blend. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the 
love of God, and the communion of the Holy 
Ghost, be with you all. 

—2 Corinthians 13:14. 

FAIREST LORD JESUS 
“Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature! 

O Thou of God and man the Son! 

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honour, 

Thou, my soul's Glory, Joy, and Crown .’ 9 


September 2 S* 

God always knows where to find His man. 

And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee 
Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the 
spirit, and lay thine hand upon him. 

—Numbers 27:18. 

BLESSING AND HONOUR 
“Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, 
Wisdom, and riches, and strength evermore, 

Give ye to Him who our battle hath won, 

Whose are the kingdom, the crown, and the 
throne.” 

September 29. 

God’s choice of a man is the highest compliment 
of life . “ The Lord hath set apart him that 
is godly for Himself.” 

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and 



TO START THE DAY 


147 


causest to approach unto thee, that he may 
dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with 
the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy 
temple.— Psalm 65:4. 

SHALL YOU? SHALL I? 

“Some one will gladly his cross lay down, 
By-and-by, by-and-by, 

Faithful, approved, shall receive a crown, 
Shall you? Snail I? 

Some one the glorious King will see, 

Ever from sorrow of earth be free, 

Happy with Him through eternity: 

Shall you? Shall I?” 

September 30* 

Not length but worthiness of life counts with 
God . Not how long but how we live. 

So teach us to number our days, that we may 
apply our hearts unto wisdom.— Psalm 90:12. 

JESUS LOVES ME 
“Jesus loves me! this I know, 

For the Bible tells me so: 

Little ones to Him belong; 

They are weak, but He is strong.” 




OCTOBER 


©ctober l* 

Faith is not our power with God but God’s 
power in us. 

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With 
men it is impossible, but not with God: for with 
God all things are possible.— Mark 10:27. 

WE WOULD SEE JESUS 
“We would see Jesus: other lights are paling, 
Which for long years we have rejoiced to see; 
The blessings of our pilgrimage are failing; 

We would not mourn them, for we go to Thee.” 


©ctober 2♦ 

God looks into our hearts to see our real selves. 
Man looks in the face but God looks in the 
heart. 

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro 
throughout the whole earth, to shew himself 
strong in the behalf of them whose heart is per¬ 
fect toward him. Herein thou hast done fool¬ 
ishly : therefore from henceforth thou shalt have 
wars.— 2 Chronicles 16:9. 

148 


TO START THE DAY 


149 


SOFTLY NOW THE LIGHT OF DAY. 
“Thou, whose all-pervading eye, 
Naught escapes, without, within, 
Pardon each infirmity, 

Open fault, and secret sin.” 


October 3* 

The quality of God which never dies is His 
mercy . This is the meaning of infinite love . 

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; 
for his mercy endureth forever. 

—1 Chronicles 16:34. 

GOD IS LOVE 

“God is love; His mercy brightens 
All the path in which we rove; 

Bliss He wakek, and woe He lightens: 

God is Wisdom, God is Love.” 


October 4* 

Those who spurn and reject the loving-kindness 
of God never know the security of divine care. 

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the 
prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto 
thee; how often would I have gathered thy chil¬ 
dren together, as a hen doth gather her brood 
under her wings, and ye would not! 

—Luke 13:34. 

UNDER HIS WINGS 
“Under His wings I am safely abiding, 

Tho , the night deepens and tempests are wild, 
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me; 
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.” 



150 


TO START THE DAY 


October 5* 

God does not tell us to like every one, but to 
love every one who is His disciple . 

By this shall men know that ye are my dis¬ 
ciples, if ye have love one to another. 

—John 13:35. 

WHEN THE WEARY , SEEKING REST 
‘ ‘ When the weary, seeking rest, 

To Thy goodness flee; 

When the heavy-laden east 
All their load on Thee; 

When the troubled, seeking peace, 

On Thy Name shall call; 

When the sinner, seeking life, 

At Thy feet shall fall: 

Hear them in love, 0 Lord, the cry, 

In heaven Thy dwelling-place on high.” 


©ctober 6. 

Constant guard must be kept if we are to con¬ 
quer sin . When least expected temptation 
comes . 

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temp¬ 
tation : the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh 
is weak.— Matthew 26: 41. 

HELP AND GUIDANCE 

“How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe, 

I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe; 
How often when trials like sea billows roll, 

Have I hidden in Thee, 0 Thou Rock of my soul.” 



TO START THE DAY 


151 


October 7* 

The old translation was “Possess ye your 
souls,” but the verse means more than that — 
“Ye shall win your lives.” 

In your patience ye shall win your lives. 

—Luke 21:19. 

NOW THE DAY IS OVER 
“Now the day is over, 

Night is drawing nigh, 

Shadows of the evening 
Steal across the sky.” 


October 8. 

A great faith means victory . According to our 
faith it is unto us. 

And his name through faith in his name hath 
made this man strong, whom ye see and know: 
yea, the faith which is by him hath given him 
this perfect soundness in the presence of you 
all.—A cts 3:16. 

FAITH IS THE VICTORY 
“Encamped along the hills of light, 

Ye Christian soldiers rise, 

And press the battle ere the night 
Shall veil the glowing skies; 

Against the foe in vales below 
Let all our strength be hurled; 

Faith is the victory, we know, 

That overcomes the world.” 



152 


TO STAKT THE DAY 


October 9 . 

When we suffer reproach for Christ’s sake, we 
bear His cross. 

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who 
passed by, coming out of the country, the father 
of Alexander and Kufus, to bear his cross. 

—Mark 15:21. 

JESUS, I MY CROSS HAVE TAKEN 
“Man may trouble and distress me, 

’Twill but drive me to Thy breast; 

Life with trials hard may press me, 
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest: 

O ’tis not in grief to harm me 
While Thy love is left to me; 

O ’twere not in joy to charm me, 

Were that joy unmixed with Thee.” 

October 10* 

Constant thought of Christ makes life a joy 
everywhere. 

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all 
in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks 
to God and the Father by him. 

—Colossians 3: IT. 

WE FOUND A FRIEND 
“I’ve found a Friend; 0 such a Friend! 

All power to Him is given, 

To guard me on my onward course, 

And bring me safe to heaven: 

Eternal glory gleams afar, 

To nerve my faint endeavour: 

So now to watch, to work, to war; 

And then to rest for ever.” 



TO START THE DAY 


153 


October U* 

“ The little sins of great men make the great 
sins of little men,” 

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and super¬ 
fluity of naughtiness, and receive with meek¬ 
ness the engrafted word, which is able to save 
your souls.— James 1:21. 

FULL SURRENDER 
c6 Saviour, ’tis a full surrender, 

All I leave to follow Thee; 

Thou my Leader and Defender 
From this hour shall ever be. 

“I surrender all! I surrender all! 

All I have I bring to Jesus, 

I surrender all!” 


©ctober 12* 

“Patience” means power of endurance and 
“ comfort ” means encouragement . 

For whatsoever things were written afore¬ 
time were written for our learning, that we 
through patience and comfort of the scriptures 
might have hope.— Romans 15:4. 

SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART 
“What a wonderful change in my life has been 
wrought 

Since Jesus came into my heart; 

I have light in my soul for which long I had 
sought, 

Since Jesus came into my heart. 



154 


TO START THE DAY 


“ Since Jesus came into my heart, 
Since Jesus came into my heart; 
Floods of joy o’er my soul 
Like the sea-billows roll, 

Since Jesus came into my heart.” 


©ctober 13* 

He who knows the Bible can 'preach Jesus from 
every page. 

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at 
the same scripture, and preached unto him 
Jesus.— Acts 8:35. 

TELL MB THE STORY OF JESUS 
“Tell me the story of Jesus, 

Write on my heart every word; 

Tell me the story most precious, 

Sweetest that ever was heard. 

Tell how the angels, in chorus, 

Sang as they welcomed His birth, 

1 Glory to God in the highest! 

Peace and good tidings to earth.’ 

“Tell me the story of Jesus, 

Write on my heart every word; 

Tell me the story most precious, 

Sweetest that ever was heard.” 


October 14* 

A joyful heart can sing anywhere. Prison 
walls cannot confine a soul at peace with God. 

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and 
sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard 
them.—A cts 16:25. 



TO START THE DAY 


155 


BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE 
“Do not wait until some deed of greatness you 
may do, 

Do not wait to shed your light afar, 

To the many duties ever near you now be true, 
Brighten the corner where you are. 

“ Brighten the corner where you are! 

Brighten the corner where you are! 

Some one far from harbour you may guide 
across the bar; 

Brighten the corner where you are.” 


October 15♦ 

“ Fulfilling ” means filling full. Busy days 
rightly directed are a great blessing . 

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast 
received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. 

—Colossians 4:17. 

WORK FOR THE NIGHT IS COMING 
“Work, for the night is coming: 

Work through the morning hours ; 

Work while the dew is sparkling; 

Work ’mid springing flowers; 

Work while the day grows brighter, 

Under the glowing sun; 

Work, for the night is coming, 

When man’s work is done.” 


©ctober 16. 

The completeness and resourcefulness of Christ 
cannot be imaginedbut His power to com¬ 
plete man’s character is the vital truth. 



156 


TO START THE DAY 


For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the 
Godhead bodily, and ye are complete in him. 

—Colossians 2 :9, 10. 

MY SOUL COMPLETE IN JESUS STANDS 
“My soul complete in Jesus stands! 

It fears no more the law’s demands; 

The smile of God is sweet within, 

Where all before was guilt and sin.” 


October 17* 

The life counts more than the word or creed . 

Whenever Christ’s life is seen men have light. 

In him was life; and the life was the light of 
men.— John 1:4. 

light after darkness 

“Light after darkness, 

Gain after loss, 

Strength after weakness, 

Crown after cross; 

Sweet after bitter, 

Hope after fears, 

Home after wandering, 

Praise after tears.” 


October is* 

When we speak prompted by God’s Spirit, we 
may never fear the result nor he embarrassed 
at the outcome . 

O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth 
shall shew forth thy praise.— Psalm 51:15. 



TO START THE DAY 


157 


LORD, SPEAK TO ME 
“0 fill me with Thy fullness, Lord, 

Until my very heart o’erfiow 
In kindling thought and glowing word, 

Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show. ’ ’ 

\ 

October 19♦ 

/ 

The denial of God and of all faith suggests ab¬ 
normality of mind or loss of character. It is 
usually insincere. 

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no 
God. —Psalm 53:1. 

JESUS , AND SHALL IT EVER BE 
“ Jesus, and shall it ever be, 

A mortal man ashamed of Thee ? 

Ashamed of Thee whom angels praise, 

Whose glories shine through endless days!” 


October 20♦ 

The self-effacement of Christ should inspire us 
to think of others rather than self. 

For consider in him that endured such con¬ 
tradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be 
wearied and faint in your minds. 

—Hebrews 12:3. 

O THE BITTER SHAME AND SORROW, 

4 ‘ Day by day His tender mercy, 

Healing, helping, full and free, 

Sweet and strong, and, ah! so patient, 
Brought me lower, while I whispered, 

* Less of self, and more of Thee.’ ” 



158 


TO START THE DAY 


October 21 . 

What if Andrew had not found his own brother, 
Peter, and brought him to Jesus? 

Andrew first findeth his own brother Simon 
. . . and he brought him to Jesus. 

—John 1:41, 42. 

JESUS, I COME 

“Out of my bondage, sorrow and night, 

Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come; 

Into Thy freedom, gladness and light, 

Jesus, I come to Thee; 

Out of my sickness into Thy health, 

Out of my want and into Thy wealth, 

Out of my sin and into Thyself, 

Jesus, I come to Thee.” 


October 22 . 

We are not safe anywhere, any time, without 
Christ . Every day and every moment must 
be guarded . 

Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord 
Jehovah is everlasting strength. 

—Isaiah 26:4. 

TRUSTING JESUS, THAT IS ALL 
11 Simply trusting every day, 

Trusting through a stormy way; 

Even when my faith is small, 

Trusting Jesus, that is all. 

** Trusting as the moments fly, 

Trusting as the days go by; 

Trusting Him whatever befall, 

Trusting Jesus, that is all.” 



TO START THE DAY 


159 


October 23* 

Every temptation has its way of escape, but we 
cannot conquer if we have an inward wish to 
yield. 

There hath no temptation taken you but such 
as is common to man: but God is faithful, who 
will not suffer you to be tempted above that 
ye are able; but will with the temptation also 
make a way to escape, that ye may be able to 
bear it.— 1 Corinthians 10 : 13. 

DIVINE INSTRUCTOR, GRACIOUS LORD 
“Divine Instructor, gracious Lord, 

Be Thou for ever near; 

Teach me to love Thy sacred word, 

And view my Saviour there.” 


October 24* 

When we pour out our very souls unto God He 
hears us. That is why it is easier to find Him 
in sorrow than in joy. 

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye 
shall search for me with all your heart. 

—Jeremiah 29:13. 

»TIS THE BLESSED HOUR OP PRAYER 
“ ’Tis the blessed hour of prayer, 

When our hearts lowly bend, 

And we gather to Jesus, 

Our Saviour and Friend; 

If we come to Him in faith 
His protection to share, 

What a rest for the weary, 

O how sweet to be there!” 



160 


TO START THE DAY 


©ctober 25. 

Augustine said: “l do not seek to understand 
that I may believe, but to believe that I may 
understand” 

Holding tlie mystery of faith, in a pure con¬ 
science.— 1 Timothy 3:9. 

SOMETIME WE’LL UNDERSTAND 
“Not now, but in the coming years, 

It may be in the better land, 

Well read the meaning of our tears, 

And there, sometime, we 11 understand. 

“Then trust in God through all thy days; 

Fear not for He doth hold thy hand; 

Though dark thy way, still sing and praise; 
Sometime, sometime, we 'll understand. ’ ’ 

October 26. 

Letting others know in a natural way that we 
are Christians will frequently save embar¬ 
rassment and lead them to Him. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he 
shall direct thy paths.— Proverbs 3: 6. 

JESUS , AND SHALL IT EVER BE 
“Ashamed of Jesus! yes, I may 
When I’ve no guilt to wash away, 

No tear to wipe, no good to crave, 

No fears to quell, no soul to save.” 

October 27. 

“ Tell me a man’s thoughts and I will tell you 
what he is” If God’s thoughts are valued, 
there is no fear for the character . 



TO START THE DAY 


161 


How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, 
O God! how great is the sum of them! If I 
should count them, they are more in number 
than the sand: when I awake, I am still with 
thee.— Psalm 139:17,18. 

TAKE TIME TO BE HOEY 
44 Take time to be holy, 

Be calm in thy soul, 

Each thought and each motive 
Beneath His control; 

Thus led by His Spirit 
To fountains of love, , 

Thou soon shalt be fitted 
For service above / 9 


©ctober 28♦ 

A devout Christian will not be always under¬ 
stood for he has the secret of God and knows 
the covenant between them . 

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear 
him; and he will shew them his covenant. 

—Psalm 25:14. 

IN THE SECRET OF HIS PRESENCE 
4 4 In the secret of His presence how my soul de¬ 
lights to hide! 

Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn 
at Jesus’ side! 

Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials 
lay me low; 

For when Satan comes to tempt me, to the 
secret place I go.” 



162 


TO START THE DAY 


October 29 ♦ 

No one is exempt from God’s love . His “ who¬ 
soever” includes every one who calls upon 
Him in truth . 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of 
the Lord shall be saved.— Romans 10:13. 

JUST AS I AM 

11 Just as I am! Thou wilt receive, 

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; 
Because Thy promise I believe, 

0 Lamb of God, I come.” 


October 30. 

It is sometimes far easier to feel and know the 
presence of God when we are praying with 
others than when praying alone . 

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall 
agree on earth as touching anything that they 
shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Fa¬ 
ther which is in heaven. For where two or 
three are gathered together in my name, there 
am I in the midst of them. 

—Matthew 18:19, 20. 

COMB, YB DISCONSOLATB 
Joy of the comfortless, light of the straying, 
Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure! 
t ? ere s P ea ks the Comforter, in mercy saying, 
Earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot 
cure.’” 




TO START THE DAY 


163 


October 31* 

Heathendom thinks and teaches the hatred of 
Deity. Hence the awful images of idolatry . 
Christianity teaches the love of Cod. 

For God sent not his Son into the world to 
condemn the world; but that the world through 
him might be saved. —John 3:17. 

THERE’S A WIDENESS IN GOD’S MERCK 
“ There’s a wideness in God's mercy, 

Like the wideness of the sea; 

There's a kindness in His justice, 

Which is more than liberty. 

There is welcome for the sinner, 

And more graces for the good; 

There is mercy with the Saviour, 

There is healing in His blood.'' 




NOVEMBER 


IRovember l♦ 

Christian courage is the possession of one who 
is conscious of God’s presence . 

What shall we then say to these things? If 
God be for ns, who can be against us? 

—Romans 8:31. 

THE SON OF GOD GOES FORTH TO WAR 
‘ ‘ The Son of God goes forth to war, 

A kingly crown to gain; 

His blood-red banner streams afar: 

Who follows in His train? 

Who best can drink His cup of woe, 
Triumphant over pain. 

Who patient bears his cross below, 

He follows in His train. 5 * 


1 Ro\>ember 2. 

He who glories in the cross will find himself 
crucified thereon , and self will lose itself in 
service . 

But God forbid that I should glory, save in 
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom 
the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the 
world.— Galatians 6:14. 

164 


TO START THE DAY 


165 


ROCK OP AGES 
“Nothing in my hand I bring, 
Simply to Thy cross I cling; 
Naked, come to Thee for dress, 
Helpless, look to Thee for grace; 
Foul, I to the fountain fly ; 
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.” 


IRovember 3, 

The heart and the tongue act together. There 
will be no evil-speaking if bitterness is gone . 

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and 
clamour, and evil-speaking, be put away from 
you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to 
another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, 
even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. 

—Ephesians 4 : 31, 32. 

FATHER, WHATE’ER OF EARTHLY BUSS 
“Give me a calm, a thankful heart, 

From every murmur free; 

The blessings of Thy grace impart, 

And make me live to Thee . 9 9 


IFlovember 4* 

How little we appreciate the meaning of “ Sons 
of God” It means that God actually looks 
upon us as He looks upon Christ. 

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath 
bestowed upon us, that we should be called the 
Sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us 
not, because it knew him not.—1 J ohn 3 : 1. 



166 


TO START THE DAY 


VM NOT ASHAMED TO OWN MY LORD 
“Dm not ashamed to own my Lord, 

Or to defend His cause, 

Maintain the honour of His word, 

The glory of His cross.’’ 


November 5♦ 

The soul’s vision that sees into the eternal world 
has a daily inspiration , and always advances 
nearer the goal . 

Being confident of this very thing, that he 
which hath begun a good work in you will per¬ 
form it until the day of Jesus Christ. 

—Philippians 1:6. 

WHEN THE MISTS HAVE ROLLED AWAY 
“When the mists have rolled in splendour from 
the beauty of the hills, 

And the sunlight falls in gladness on the river 
and the rills: 

We recall our Father’s promise in the rainbow 
of the spray: 

We shall know each other better when the mists 
have rolled away. 


“We shall know as we are known, nevermore to 
walk alone, 

In the dawning of the morning of that bright 
and happy day: 

We shall know each other better when the mists 
have rolled away.” 



TO START THE DAY 


167 


IRovember 6* 

The attainment of highest joy is seen in those 
who actually enjoy and delight in the suc¬ 
cesses of others . 

Let nothing be done through strife or vain¬ 
glory ; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem 
other better than themselves. 

—Philippians 2:3. 

MY JBSUS, I LOVE THEE 
“My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine, 
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign; 

My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou, 

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.” 


IHovember 7* 

Worthy life, fruitful service and spiritual in¬ 
telligence go together. 

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto 
all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, 
and increasing in the knowledge of God. 

—Colossians 1:10. 

SAVIOUR, THY DYING LOVE 
“All that I am and have— 

Thy gifts so free— 

Ever in joy or grief, 

My Lord, for Thee; 

And when Thy face I see, 

My ransomed soul shall be, 

Through all eternity, 

Offered to Thee.” 



168 


TO START THE DAY 


November 8. 

The strong life is the patient, enduring and joy - 
ful life . 

Strengthened with all might, according to his 
glorious power, unto all patience and long- 
suffering with joyfulness.— Colossians 1:11. 

HOLY OFFERINGS 
“Holy offerings, rich and rare, 

Offerings of praise and prayer, 

Purer life and purpose high, 

Clasped hands, uplifted eye, 

Lowly acts of adoration 
To the God of our salvation— 

On His altar laid we leave them: 

Christ, present them! 

God, receive them !’ 9 


IRovember 9. 

Love gives not only gifts but time , thought and 
if needs be life itself. 

So being affectionately desirous of you, we 
were willing to have imparted unto you, not 
the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, 
because ye were dear unto us. 

—1 Thessalonians 2: 8. 

PRAISE, MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN 
“Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, 

To His feet thy tribute bring; 

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, 

Who, like me, His praise should sing? 

Praise Him, praise Him, 

Praise the Everlasting King.” 



TO START THE DAY 


169 


1Rox>ember 10* 

Divine love like the love of the prodigal’s fa¬ 
ther goes more than half way. 

Draw nigh, to God and he will draw nigh to 
you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and 
purify your hearts, ye double minded. 

—James 4:8. 

TUB KING OF BOVB MY SHBPHBRD IS! 
“Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, 

But yet in love He sought me, 

And on His shoulder gently laid, 

And home, rejoicing, brought me.” 


IRopetnber it, 

“ Boys flying kites haul in their white-winged 
birds. 

You can’t do that way when you’re flying 
words. 

Tho’ts unexpressed may sometimes fall back 
dead, 

But God Himself can’t kill them when they’re 
said.” 

Even so the tongue is a little member, and 
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a 
matter a little fire kindleth! 

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an 
unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 

—James 3:5, 8. 



170 


TO START THE DAY 


JBSUS, SAVIOUR, PILOT MB 
“As a mother stills her child, 

Thou canst hush the ocean wild; 

Boisterous waves obey Thy will 
When Thou sayest to them, ‘Be still/ 
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea, 

Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.” 

IRopember 12♦ 

Abiding in Christ requires constant thought 
and effort, as well as good intentions . 

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch 
cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in 
the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 

—John 15:4. 

SAVIOUR ., MORB THAN LIFB TO MB 
“Saviour, more than life to me, 

I am clinging, clinging, close to Thee; 

Let Thy precious blood applied, 

Keep me ever, ever, near Thy side. 

“Every day, every hour, 

Let me feel Thy cleansing power; 

May Thy tender love to me 

Bind me closer, closer, Lord to Thee.” 

IRopember 13. 

Many a man who has built well his ship of life 
has forgotten the helm. 

Behold also the ships, which though they be 
so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are 
they turned about with a very small helm, 
whithersoever the governor listeth. 

—James 3:4. 



TO START THE DAY 


171 


JESUS, SAVIOUR , PILOT MB 
“ Jesus, Saviour, pilot me 
Over life ’s tempestuous sea; 
Unknown waves before me roll, 
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal; 
Chart and compass came from Thee, 
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me. ,J 


1Ro\>ember 14* 

Hearing and doing must lead one into the other 
if there is to be stability . 

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of 
mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a 
wise man, which built his house upon a rock. 

—Matthew 7 : 24. 

A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM 
“The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, 

A shelter in the time of storm; 

Secure whatever ill betide, 

A shelter in the time of storm. 

“Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, 

A weary land, a weary land; 

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,— 

A shelter in the time of storm. ’ ’ 


IRopember 15* 

'Near-sightedness may be a defect in spiritual 
as well as in physical vision . 

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from 
whence cometh my help. My help cometh from 
the Lord, which made heaven and earth. 

—Psalm 121 :1, 2. 




172 


TO START THE DAY 


WE WOULD SBB JBSUS 
“We would see Jesus; for the shadows lengthen 
Across this little landscape of our life; 

We would see Jesus, our weak faith to strengthen 
For the last weariness, the final strife.” 

IRopentber 16* 

Generosity and thoughtfulness for others se¬ 
cure friendship and devotion . 

Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the 
Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. 

—Psalm 41 :1. 

LBAD ONO KING BTBRNAL 
“Lead on, O King Eternal: 

We follow, not with fears; 

For gladness breaks like morning 
Where’er Thy face appears; 

Thy cross is lifted o’er us; 

We journey in its light: 

The crown awaits the conquest; 

Lead on, O God of might. ’ ’ 

November 17♦ 

God’s power is always present with those who 
serve and trust Him. 

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is 
mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee 
with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy 
over thee with singing.— Zephaniah 3:17. 

MOMENT BY MOMENT 
4 ‘Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine; 
Living with Jesus, a new life divine; 

Looking to Jesus ’til glory doth shine, 

Moment by moment, 0 Lord, I am thine.” 



TO START THE DAY 


173 


1Rov>ember 18. 

'Nothing makes life a joy and ensures happiness 
like visiting and comforting the sick and af¬ 
flicted. 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and 
tbe Father is this, To visit the fatherless and 
widows in their affliction, and to keep himself 
unspotted from the world.— James 1:27. 

O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO 
‘‘0 Joy, that seekest me through pain 
I cannot close my heart to Thee; 

I trace the rainbow through the rain, 

And feel the promise is not vain 
That mom shall tearless be.” 


IRovember 19. 

We may be led into love by the Author of Love. 
Love begets love. 

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love 
of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 

—2 Thessalonians 3 : 5. 

JESUS , THE VERY THOUGHT OF THEE 
“ Jesus, our only Joy be Thou, 

As Thou our Prize wilt be; 

Jesus, be Thou our Glory now, 

And through eternity.” 

IRovember 20. 

Spreading cheer and gladness is the duty and 
joy of every Christian. 

Then they said one to another, We do not 



174 


TO START THE DAY 


well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we 
hold our peace.—2 Kings 7 : 9. 

OH HAPPY DAY 

* ‘ Oh, happy day, that fixed my choice 
On Thee, my Saviour, and my God! 

Well may this glowing heart rejoice, 

And tell its raptures all abroad. ’ 7 

1Ro\>ember 21. 

Loyalty to nation and law is an evidence of 
loyalty to God . 

Put them in mind to be subject to principali¬ 
ties and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready 
to every good work.— Titus 3 : 1. 

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL 
“0 beautiful for spacious skies, 

For amber waves of grain, 

For purple mountain majesties 
Above the fruited plain! 

America! America! God shed His grace on 
thee, 

And crown thy good with brotherhood, 

From sea to shining sea !” 


iRovember 22. 

Strength, beauty, fragrance and grace come 
from God’s inward life, and grow naturally 
anywhere. 

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil 
not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that 
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like 
one of these.— Luke 12:27. 



TO START THE DAY 


175 


NEW EVERY MORNING 
“If, on onr daily course, our mind 
Be set to hallow all we find, 

New treasures still, of countless price, 
God will provide for sacrifice. ’’ 


IRovember 23. 

An easy life is not a life of character. Strong 
lives bend but do not break in life’s storms. 

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good 
soldier of Jesus Christ.—2 Timothy 2 : 3. 

AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS? 

“Since I must fight if I would reign: 
Increase my courage, Lord; 

I ’ll bear the toil, endure the pain, 
Supported by Thy word.” 


IRovember 24. 

The love and friendship of children is a token 
of pure and happy life. 

Take heed that ye despise not one of these 
little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven 
their angels do always behold the face of my 
Father which is in heaven.— Matthew 18:10. 

I THINK WHEN I READ 
“I wish that His hands had been placed on my 
head, 

That His arm had been thrown around me, 

And that I might have seen His kind look when 
He said, 

‘Let the little ones come unto Me.’ ” 



176 


TO START THE DAY 


1Ro\>ember 25♦ 

The Holy Spirit calls to our memory the words 
and thoughts of Jesus Christ whenever we 
need Him . 

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, 
whom the Father will send in my name, he shall 
teach you all things, and bring all things to 
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto 
you.— John 14:26. 

COMB , HOLY SPIRIT 
4 4 Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, 

With all Thy quickening powers 
Kindle a flame of sacred love 
In these cold hearts of ours.” 


IRovember 26* 

Maltbie Babcock used to say , “ Have three hun¬ 
dred and sixty-four thanksgiving days and 
one day for complaint (if necessary) ” 

Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my 
soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I 
will sing praises unto my God while I have any 
being.— Psalm 146:1, 2. 

PRAISE TO GOD 
“Praise to God, immortal praise, 

For the love that crowns our days: 
Bounteous Source of every joy, 

Let Thy praise our tongues employ.” 



TO START THE DAY 


177 


IRovember 21 . 

All nature praises God. Thanksgiving Day 
should make every day happy and joyful. 

Let everything that hath breath praise the 
Lord. Praise ye the Lord.— Psalm 150: 6. 

COMB, YB THANKFUL PBOPLB 
“All the world is God's own field, 

Fruit unto His praise to yield; 

Wheat and tares together sown, 

Unto joy or sorrow grown: 

First the blade, and then the ear, 

Then the full corn shall appear: 

Lord of harvest, grant that we 
Wholesome grain and pure may be.” 

1Ro\>ember 28 . 

Every day victory may he ours if our souls have 
the well-spring within. 

For which cause we faint not; but though 
our outward man perish, yet the inward man is 
renewed day by day.—2 Corinthians 4:16. 

HOW GBNTLB GOD y S COMMANDS 
“How gentle God's commands, 

How kind His precepts are! 

Come, cast your burdens on the Lord, 

And trust His constant care.” 

IRovember 20 . 

Knowing Christ surpasses knowing about 
Christ as much as character surpasses edu¬ 
cation. 

That I may know him, and the power of his 




178 


TO START THE DAY 


resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffer¬ 
ings, being made conformable unto his death. 

—Philippians 3:10. 

HERB, O MY LORD 

“Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face; 

Here would I touch and handle things unseen, 
Here grasp with firmer hand the eternal grace, 
And all my weariness upon Thee lean.” 


IRopember 30* 

The last command of Jesus Christ gave us the 
challenge of a world conquest. 

Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptiz¬ 
ing them in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost.— Matthew 28:19. 

FROM GREENLAND’S ICY MOUNTAINS 
“From Greenland’s icy mountains, 

From India’s coral strand, 

Where Afric’s sunny fountains 
Roll down their golden sand, 

From many an ancient river, 

From many a palmy plain, 

They call us to deliver 
Their land from error’s chain.” 



DECEMBER 


December u 

Christ is calling the world to repentance to-day. 
The world needs more than all else a revival 
of God’s Spirit. 

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and he 
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus 
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall 
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

—Acts 3:38. 

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING 
“ ‘ There shall be showers of blessing: 9 
This is the promise of love; 

There shall be seasons refreshing, 

Sent from the Saviour above. 

“Showers, showers of blessing, 

Showers of blessing we need: 

Mercy-drops round us are falling, 

But for the showers we plead. ’ 9 


December 2♦ 

There is work to do for the Master at our very 
doors. 

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and 
then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, 
Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for 
they are white already to harvest.—J ohn 4 : 35. 
179 


180 


TO START THE DAY 


HARK! THB VOICE OP JESUS CRYING 
“If yon cannot cross the ocean, 

And the heathen lands explore, 

You can find the heathen nearer, 

You can help them at your door. 

If you cannot give your thousands, 
You can give the widow’s mite; 

And the least you give for Jesus 
Will be precious in His sight.” 


December 3♦ 

Confidence in Christ as Saviour and Lord dis¬ 
pels doubt and compels others to follow Him . 

I know whom I have believed, and am per¬ 
suaded that he is able to keep that which I have 
committed unto him against that day. 

—2 Timothy 1:12. 

I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED 
“I know not why God’s wondrous grace 
To me He hath made known. 

Nor why—unworthy—Christ in love 
Redeemed me for His own. 

( Chorus) 

“But I know whom I have believed, 

And am persuaded that He is able 
To keep that which I’ve committed 
Unto Him against that day.” 


December 4. 

Cod calls many of His most valued workers 
from the unknown multitudes. 

And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out 



TO START THE DAY 


181 


into tlie highways and hedges, and compel them 
to come in, that my house may be filled. 

—Luke 14:23. 

HARK! THE VOICE OF JESUS CRYING 
“Let none hear you idly saying, 

‘ There is nothing I can do, ’ 

While the souls of men are dying, 

And the Master calls for you: 

Take the task He gives you gladly, 

Let His work your pleasure be; 

Answer quickly when He calleth, 

‘ Here am I; send me, send me. ’ 3 3 


December 5. 

Affliction has brought many a man to God. 
Only storms create rainbows. The sun must 
shine through the rain. 

And when he was in affliction, he besought 
the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly 
before the God of his fathers. 

—2 Chronicles 33:12. 

JUST AS I AM 

“Just as I am, without one plea 
But that Thy blood was shed for me, 

An d that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, 

0 Lamb of God, I come.” 

December 6♦ 

He who leaves wealth to his child, without leav¬ 
ing character, probably leaves him perplexity 
and suffering. 

And a good man leaveth an inheritance to his 



182 


TO START THE DAY 


children’s children: and the wealth of the s inn er 
is laid up for the just.—P roverbs 13:22. 

I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY, 

“I love to tell the story; 

More wonderful it seems 
Than all the golden fancies 
Of all our golden dreams. 

I love to tell the story, 

It did so much for me; 

And that is just the reason 
I tell it now to thee . 9 7 


December 7♦ 

God’s sons are men who overcome. In-finite in ¬ 
heritance is based upon victory over tempta¬ 
tion . 

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; 
and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 

—Revelation 21:7. 

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT 
“Faint not, nor fear, His arms are near; 

He changeth not, and thou art dear; 

Only believe, and thou shalt see 
That Christ is All in all to thee.” 

December 8* 

A man cannot fall if he depends immediately 
upon Jesus Christ when tempted . 

!Now thanks be unto God, which always 
causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh 
manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in 
every place.—2 Corinthians 2: 14. 



TO START THE DAY 


183 


AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSSf 
“Thy saints, in all this glorious war, 
Shall conquer, though they die; 
They view the triumph from afar, 
And seize it with their eye.” 


December 

Sin’s pleasures are short-lived. The average 
age of a criminal is under twenty-one, of a 
harlot under twenty. 

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the 
people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin 
for a season.— Hebrews 11:25. 

IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL 
“With its witching pleasures 
Would this vain world charm, 

Or its sordid treasures 
Spread to work me harm, 

Bring to my remembrance 
Sad Gethsemane, 

Or, in darker semblance, 
Cross-crowned Calvary.” 


December 10* 

All that any one has to do to he saved is to be¬ 
lieve and confess Christ. 

That if thou shaft confess with thy mouth the 
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart 
that God hath raised him from the dead, thou 
shalt be saved.— Romans 10:9. 



184 


TO START THE DAY 


THROW OUT THE LIFE LINE 
“ Throw out the Life-Line across the dark wave, 
There is a brother whom some one should save; 
Somebody’s brother! oh, who then, will dare 
To throw out the Life-Line, his peril to share ? ’ 1 


December u* 

What a benediction! If you do not know how 
to close a letter to a friend, use these verses. 

Now the God of peace that brought again 
from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shep¬ 
herd of the sheep, through the blood of the 
everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every 
good work to do his will, working in you that 
which is well-pleasing in his sight, through 
Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and 
ever.— Hebrews 13:20, 21. 

COME , LET US JOIN OUR CHEERFUL SONGS 
“Come, let us join our cheerful songs 
With angels round the throne, 

Ten thousand thousand are their tongues, 

But all their joys are one.” 


December 12* 

One may ignore or even hate Christ, but he 
cannot destroy Christ’s love for him. 

But God commendeth his love toward us, in 
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for 
us.— Romans 5:8. 



TO START THE DAY 


185 


LOVE DIVINE 

“Love Divine, all loves excelling, 

Joy of heaven, to earth come down: 
Fix in ns Thy humble dwelling, 

All Thy faithful mercies crown: 
Jesus, Thou art all compassion, 

Pure, unbounded love Thou art; 
Visit us with Thy salvation, 

Enter every trembling heart.’* 


December 13* 

Sin is sure pay, tut that payment is anguish 
and death . Salvation is a gift . 

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of 
God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our 
Lord.— Romans 6:23. 

O HOLY SAVIOUR, FRIEND UNSEEN 
11 0 Holy Saviour, Friend unseen, 

Since on Thine arm Thou bidd’st me lean, 
Help me, throughout life’s varying scene, 

By faith to cling to Thee.” 


December 14* 

God’s “ it is ” has fact in it. The Gospel is the 
power of God . 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: 
for it is the power of God unto salvation to 
every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and 
also to the Greek.— Romans 1:16. 



186 


TO START THE DAY 


LOVE DIVINE 
“Come, Almighty to deliver, 

Let us all Thy life receive; 

Suddenly return, and never, 

Never more Thy temples leave. 

Thee we would be always blessing, 

Serve Thee as Thy hosts above, 

Pray, and praise Thee, without ceasing, 
Glory in Thy perfect love. ’' 

December 15* 

A man’s benevolence is not worthy of God if he 
fails to pay his taxes . 

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto 
Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto 
God the things which be God's.— Luke 20:25. 

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS! 

“Faith of our fathers! we will love 
Both friend and foe in all our strife, 

And preach thee, too, as love knows how 
By kindly words and virtuous life: 

Faith of our fathers, holy faith! 

We will be true to thee till death." 

December 1 6 . 

Whenever we see another in need we should 
realize Christ is in need . 

# Then shall the King say unto them on his 
right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, in¬ 
herit the kingdom prepared for you from the 
foundation of the world: For I was an 
hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, 
and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye 
took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was 



TO START THE DAY 


187 


sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye 
came unto me.— Matthew 25:34, 35, 36. 

WAS THERE EVER KINDEST SHEPHERD 
“For the love of God is broader 
Than the measures of man's mind, 

And the heart of the Eternal 
Is most wonderfully kind: 

But we make His love too narrow 
By false limits of our own, 

And we magnify His strictness 
With a zeal He will not own.” 


December 17. 

“His strength was as the strength of ten be¬ 
cause his heart was pure” 

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be 
partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 

— 1 Timothy 5:22. 

THE SANDS OF TIME ARE SINKING 
11 0 Christ, He is the Fountain, 

The deep sweet Well of love! 

The streams on earth I’ve tasted 
More deep I ’ll drink above: 

There to an ocean fulness 
His mercy doth expand, 

And glory, glory dwelleth 
In Emanuel’s land.” 


December 18. 

With a new heart and a new spirit we may for¬ 
get the past and live anew . 

A new heart also will I give you, and a new 
spirit will I put within you: and I will take 



188 


TO START THE DAY 


away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I 
will give you an heart of flesh. 

—Ezekiel 36:26. 

WHEN THE DAY OF TOIL IS DONE 
“ When for vanished days we yearn, 

Days that never can return, 

Teach us in Thy love to learn 
Love for evermore.” 

December 19* 

God’s greatest value is shown in the word 
“ overcome ” and faith attains victory. 

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the 
world: and this is the victory that overcometh 
the world, even our faith.—1 John 5 : 4. 

LEAD ON, O KING ETERNAL 
‘ ‘ Lead on, 0 King Eternal, 

Till sin’s fierce war shall cease, 

And Holiness shall whisper 
The sweet Amen of peace; 

For not with swords loud clashing, 

Nor roll of stirring drums, 

But deeds of love and mercy, 

The heavenly kingdom comes . 9 9 

December 20. 

A righteous man has no fear of detection; he 
can look any man in the eye . A noted crim¬ 
inal fled to Canada when a detective wired 
him “ All is known.” 

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but 
the righteous are bold as a lion. 

—Proverbs 28:1. 



TO START THE DAY 


189 


ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS, 
‘ ‘ Onward, Christian soldiers, 
Marching as to war, 

With the cross of Jesus 
Going on before : 

Christ the Royal Master 
Leads against the foe; 
Forward into battle, 

See, His banners go. 

“Onward, Christian soldiers, 
Marching as to war, 

With the cross of Jesus 
Going on before.” 


December 21♦ 

Companionship with Christ gives a man the 
burning heart of divine love . 

And they said one to another, Did not our 
heart burn within us, while he talked with us 
by the way, and while he opened to us the scrip¬ 
tures?— Luke 24:32. 

MAJESTIC SWEETNESS 
“Majestic sweetness sits enthroned 
Upon the Saviour’s brow; 

His head with radiant glories crowned, 

His lips with grace o’erflow.” 


December 22♦ 

Maltbie Babcock said, “A day’s work that a 
night’s rest will not renew is over-work.” 

The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, 



190 


TO START THE DAY 


whether he eat little or much: hut the abun¬ 
dance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 

—Ecclesiastes 5:12. 

O JESUS, 1 HAVE CALLED THEE 
“I need a friend who knows me 
So justly through and through 
Hell ne’er misjudge a motive, 

Nor let me strain to do 
More work than I can manage, 

The work that is not mine, 

Because of vain ambition, 

Or conscience drawn too fine.” 


December 23♦ 

It is easier to weep with the sad than to rejoice 
with the fortunate . 

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep 
with them that weep.— Romans 12:15. 

HOW SWEET THE NAME OF JESUS SOUNDS 
“Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend, 

My Prophet, Priest, and King, 

My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, 
Accept the praise I bring.” 


December 24. 

Faithful watching over those who are our care 
signals God’s chorus of gladness. 

And there were in the same country shep¬ 
herds abiding in the field, keeping watch over 
their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the 
Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord 
shone round about them.— Luke 2: 8 , 9. 



TO START THE DAY 


191 


O UTTLB TOWN OF BETHLEHEM 
“O little town of Bethlehem, 

How still we see thee lie; 

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep 
The silent stars go by: 

Yet in thy dark streets shineth 
The everlasting Light; 

The hopes and fears of all the years 
Are met in thee to-night.’’ 


December 25♦ 

The Christmas song of the angels was a world¬ 
wide song. “ Joy to the world” 

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, 
behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, 
which shall be to all people. For unto you is 
bom this day in the city of David a Saviour, 
which is Christ the Lord.— Luke 2 :10,11. 

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM 
“For Christ is born of Mary; 

And gathered all above, 

While mortals sleep, the angels keep 
Their watch of wondering love. 

O morning stars, together 
Proclaim the holy birth ; 

And praises sing to God the King, 

And peace to men on earth.” 


December 26* 

To return to ordinary tasks with continued joy 
is a great blessing of the Christmas season. 

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and 



192 


TO START THE DAY 


praising God for all the things that they had 
heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 

—Luke 2:20. 

IT CAME UPON THB MIDNIGHT CLEAR 
“And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, 

Whose forms are bending low, 

Who toil along the climbing way 
With painful steps and slow,— 

Look now! for glad and golden hours 
Come swiftly on the wing: 

O rest beside the weary road, 

And hear the angels sing.” 

December 27♦ 

A prayerful life is never destitute of resources 
of strength for self or others . 

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, 
that men ought always to pray and not to faint. 

—Luke 18:1. 

SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER 
“Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer! 
That calls me from this world of care, 

And bids me at my Father’s throne, 

Make all my wants and wishes known.” 

December 28* 

Our day is one of unrivaled opportunity . To¬ 
day is majestic if we are working for eternity . 

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand 
before God; and the books were opened: and 
another book was opened, which is the book of 
life: and the dead were judged out of those 
things which were written in the books, accord¬ 
ing to their words.— Revelation 20:12. 



TO START THE DAY 


193 


WE ARE LIVING, WE ARE DWELLING 
“Worlds are charging, heaven beholding, 
Thon hast bnt an hour to fight ; 

Now the blazoned cross unfolding, 

On, right onward, for the right! 

On! let all the soul within you 
For the truth’s sake go abroad. 

Strike, let every nerve and sinew 
Tell on ages, tell for God.” 

December 29. 

Hatred cannot live where Jesus Christ lives . 

And this is his commandment, That we should 
believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, 
and love one another, as he gave us command¬ 
ment. —1 John 3:23. 

NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE 
“Nearer, my God, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee! 

E ’en though it be a cross 
That raiseth me; 

Still all my song shall be, 

Nearer, my God, to Thee, 

Nearer, my God, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee!” 

December 30. 

Death is blessedness to those who have died in 
faith, and their good works never die . 

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto 
me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in 
the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, 
that they may rest from their labours; and their 
works do follow them.— Revelation 14:13. 



194 


TO START THE DAY 


NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE 
“Or if on joyful wing 
Cleaving the sky, 

Sun, moon, and stars forgot, 
Upwards I fly, 

Still all my song shall be, 
Nearer my God, to Thee, 
Nearer my God, to Thee, 
Nearer to Thee!” 


December 3t. 

The Old year opens the door to the New. u Eye 
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath 
entered into the heart of man the things 
which God hath prepared for them that love 
Him” 

And there shall be no more curse: but the 
throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; 
and his servants shall serve him: and they shall 
see his face; and his name shall be in their 
foreheads.— Revelation 22: 3, 4. 

RING OUT , WILD BELLS 
“Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, 

The flying cloud, the frosty light: 

The year is dying in the night; 

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. 

“Ring in the valiant man and free, 

The larger heart, the kindlier hand; 

Ring out the darkness of the land, 

Ring in the Christ that is to be.” 


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